MaJor-G-eneral  Ma-<ruder*  s 

Report   of  His   Operations   on 
t/he   Peninsula 


TREAStlRi:  pnniii 


George  Washington  Flowers 
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MAJOR-GENERAL  MAGRUDER^S 


REPORT 


OPEllATIOXS  ON  THE  PENIKSULA, 


AND   OF   THE 


BATTLES  OF  "SAVAGE  STATION"  ANP  "MALVERN  HILL/ 


NEAR    RICHMOND. 


RICHMOND: 

CIIAS.  11.  WYNNE,  PRlNTf^R,  94  MAIN  STREET. 
1862. 


^^  FLOWERS  COa^rr, 


THE    PENINSULA   CAMPAIGN. 


OFFICIAL  REPORT. 


Head-quarters  Dep't  of  the  Peninsula,  \ 
Lees  Farm,  May  3,  .1862.      J 

Gen.  S.  CoorER,  Adjutant  and  Inspector  General,  C.  S.  A. 

General, — Deeming  it  of  vital  importance  to  hold  Yorktown, 
on  York  River,  and  Mulberry  Island  on  James  River,  and  to  keep 
the  enemy  in  check  by  an  intervening  line,  until  the  authorities 
might  take  such  steps  as  should  be  deemed  necessary  to  meet  a 
Berious  advance  of  the  enemy  in  the  Peninsula,  I  felt  compelled 
to  .dispose  my  forces  in  such  a  manner  as  to  accomplish  these  ob- 
jects with  the  least  risk  possible,  under  the  circumstances  of  great 
hazard  which  surrounded  the  little  army  I  commanded. 

I  had  prepared,  as  my  real  line  of- defence,  positions  in  ad- 
vance, at  Ilarwood's  and  Young's  Mills.  Both  flanks  of  this 
line  were  defended  by  boggy  and  difiicult  streams  and  swamps. 
In  addition,  the  left  flank  was  defended  by  elaborate  fortifica- 
tions at  Ship  Point,  connected  by  a  broken  line  of  redoubts, 
crossing  the  heads  of  the  various  ravines  emptying  into  York 
River  and  Wormley's  Creek,  and  terminating  at  Fort  Grafton, 
nearly  in  front  of  Yorktown.  The  right  flank  was  defended  by 
the  fortifications  at  the  mouth  of  Warwick  River,  and  at  Mul- 
berry Island  Point,  and  the  redoubts  extending  from  the  War- 
wick to  the  James  River.  Intervening  between  the  \^so  mills 
was  a  wooded  country  about  two  miles  in  extent.  This  wooded 
liqe,  forming  the  centre,  needed  the  defence  of  in  fan  (ry  in  a 
Bufliicient  force  to  prevent  any  attempt  on  the  part  of  the  enemy 
to  break  through  it.  In  my  opinion,  this  advanced  line,  with. 
its  flank  defences,  might  have  been  held  by  twenty  thousand 

• 


troops.  With  twenty-five  tliousand,  I  do  not  believe  it  <5ould 
have  been  broken  by  any  force  the  enemy  could  hav.e  brought 
against  it.  Its  two  flanks  were  protected  by  the  "Virginia" 
and  the  works  on.  one  side,  and  the  fortifications  at  Yorktown 
and  Gloucester  Point  on  the  other. 

Finding  my  forces  too  weak  to  attempt  the  defence  of  this 
line,  I  was  compelled  to  prepare  to  receive  the.  enemy  on  a. second 
line,  on  Warwick  lliver.  This  line  Avas  incomplete  in  its  pre- 
parations, owing  to  the  fact  that  a  thousand  negro  laborers,  whom 
I  had  engaged  in  fortifying,  were  taken  from  me,  and  discharged 
by  superior  orders,  in  'December  last,  and  a  delay  of  nine  weeks 
consequently  occurred  before  I  could  re-organize  the  laborers  for 
the  engineers.  . 

Keeping,  then,  only  small  bodies  of  troops  at  Harwood's  and 
Young's  Mills,  and  al-  Ship  Point,  I  distributed  my  remaining 
forces'  along  the  Warwick  line,  embracing  a  front  from  Yorktown 
to  Minor'-s  farm  of  twi-lve  miles,  and  from  the  latter  place  to 
Mulberiy  Island  Point  of  one  and  a  half  miles.  I  was  compelled 
to  place  in  Gloucester  Point,  Yorktown  and  Mulberry  Island, 
fixed  garrisons,  amounting  to  six  thousand  men — my  whole  force 
being  eleven  thousand  (11,0.00;)  so  that  it  will  be  seen  that  the 
balance  of  the  line,  embracing  a  length  of  thirteen  miles,  "vjas 
defended  by.  about  five  thousand  men. 

After  two  reconnoisances  in  great  force  fro-ra.  Fortress  Monroe 
and  Newport  News,  the  enemy,  on  the  3d  of  April,  advanced  and 
took  possession  of  Harwood's  and  Y'^oung's  Mills.  He  advanced 
in  two  heavy  columns — one  along  the  old  York  road,  and  the 
oiher  by  the  Warwick  road,  and,*  on'  the  5th  of  April,  appeared 
simultaneously  along  the  whole  front  of  our  line,  from  Minor's 
farm  to  Yorktown.  I  have  no  accurate  data  upon  which  to  base 
an  exact  statement  of  his/orce,  but,  from  various  sources  of  in- 
formation, I. was  satisfied  that  I  had  before  me  the  enemy's  Arm^ 
of  the  Potomac,  under  the  command  of  General  McClellan,  with 
the  exception  of  the  two  corps  d'armec  of  Banks  and  McDowell 
respecti\^cly,  forming  an  aggregate  number  of  certainly  not  less 
than  one  liundred  thousand  men — since  ascertained  to  have. been 
one  hundred  and  twenty  thousand. 

On  every  portion  of  my  lines  he  attacked  us  with  a  furious 

.cannonade  and  musketr}'-,  which  was  responded  to  with  effect  by 

our  batteries  and  troops  of  the  line.     His  skirmishers  were  also 


•well  throvrn  forward  on  this  and  the  succeeding  day,  and  ener-' 
gclically  felt  our  wliole.  line,  but  were  everywhere  repulsed  by 
the  steadiness  of  our  troops.     Thus,  with  five  thousand  men,  ex- 
clusive of  tlie  garrisons,  wo  stopped  and  held  in  check  over  one 
hundred  thonsand  of  the  enemy. 

Every  preparation  was  made  in  anticipation  (jf  another  attack 
by  the  enemy — the  men  slept  in  the  trenches  and  under  arms,  but, 
to  ray  utter  surprise,  hfc  permitted  day  aftei^day  to  elaj)se,  with- 
out an  assault.  In  a  few  diiys  the  object  of.  his  delay  was  ap- 
parent. In  every  direction  in  front  of  our  lines,  through  the 
intervening  woods  and  along  the  open  fields,  earthworks  began  to 
appear.  Through  the  energetic  action  of  the  government,  re- 
inforcements began  to  pour  in,  and  each  hour  the  Army  of  the 
Peninsula  grew  stronger  and  stronger,  until  all' anxiety  passed 
from  my  mind  as  to  the  result  of.  an  attack  upon  us. 

The  enemy's  skirmishers  pressing  us  closely  in  front  of  York- 
town,  Brigadier-General  Early  ordered  a  sortie  to  be  made  from 
tKc  redoubts,  for  the  purpose  of  dislodging  him  from  Palmentary's  • 
peach  orchard.  This  was  effected  in  the  most  gallant  manner  by 
the  2d  Florida,  Col.  Ward,  and  2d  Mississippi  Battalion,  Lt.  .Col. 
Taylor,  all  under  the  cominand  of  tJol.  Ward.  The  quick  and 
reckless  charge  of  our  men,  by  throwing  the  *encmy  into  a  hasty 
flight,  enabled  us  to  effect,  without  loss,  an  enterprise  of  great 
hazard  against  a  superior  "force,  supported  by  artillery,  when  the 
least  wavering  or  hesitation  on  our  part  would  have  been  attended 
with  great  loss. 

The  Warwick  line,  upon  which  we  rested,  may  be  briefly  de- 
scribed as  follows:  Warwick  River  rises  very. near  York  River, 
and  about  a  mile  and  a  half  to  the  right  of  Yorktown.  York- 
town  and  Redoubts  Nos.  4  and  5,  united  by  long  curtains  and 
flanked  by  rifle-pits,  form  the  left  of  the  line,  until,  at  the  com- 
•mencement  of  the  military  road,  it  reaches  Warwick  River,  here, 
a  sluggish  and  boggy  stream,  twenty  or  thirty  yards  wide,  and 
running  through  a  dense  wood,  fringed  by  swamps.  Along  the 
river  are  five  dams — one  at  Wynn's  Mill,  and  one  at  Lee's  Mill, 
and'three  constructed  by  myself.  The  effect  of  these  dams  is  to 
back  up  the  water  along  the  course  of  the  river,  so  that  for  nearly 
three- fourths  of  its  distance  its  passage  is  im[tracticable  for  either 
artillery  or  infantry.  Each  of  these  dams  is  protected  by  artil- 
lery and  extensive  earthworks  for  infantry. 

37C'530 


6 

After  eleven  days  of  examination  the  enemy  seems  very  properly 
to  have  arrived  at  the  conclusion  that  Dam  No.  1,  the  centre  of 
our  line,  "vvas  the  wea'kest  point  in  it;  and  hence,  on  the  IGth  of 
April,  he  made. what  seems  to  have  been  a  serious  effort  to  break 
through  at  that  point.  Early  on  that  morning  he  opened  at 
that  dam  a  most  furious  attack  of  artillery,  filling  the  woods  with 
shells,  while  his  sharpshooters  pressed  forward  close  to  our  lines. 
From  9  A.  M.,  to  1-2  M.,  six  pieces  were  kept  in  constant  fire 
against  uSj  and  by  3  P.  M.,  nearly 'three  batteries  were  directing 
a  perfect  storm  of  shot  and  shell  on  our  exposed  position.  We- 
had  only  three  pieces  in  position  at  that  point,  but  two  of  them 
could  not  be  used  with  much  effect,  and  were  rarely  fired,  so  that 
we  were  constrained  to  reply  with  one  6-pounder  of  the  Troup 
Artillery,  Cobb's  Georgia  Legion,  Capt.  Stanley,  under  the  par- 
ticular charge  of  Lieut.  Pope.  This  piece  was  served  with  the 
greatest  accuracy  and  eifect,  and  by  the  coolness  and  skill  with 
which  it  was  handled,  the  great  odds  against  us  was  almost 
.counterbalanced.  By  3J  P.  M.,  the  intensity  of  the  cannonad- 
ing increasing,  heavy  masses  of  infantry  commenced  to  deploy 
in  o.ur  front,  and  a  heavy  musketry  fire  was  opened  upon  us. 
Under  the  cover  of  thii  continuous  stream  of  fire  an  effort  was 
made  by  the  enemy  to  throw  forces  over  the  stream  and  storm 
our  6-pounder  battery,  which  Avas  inflicting  such  damage  upon 
them.  This  charge  was  very  rapid  and  vigorous,  and,  before  our 
men  were  prepared  to.  receive  it,  several  companies  of  a  Vermont 
regiment  succeeded  in  getting  across  and  occupying. the  rifle-pits 
of  the  15th  North  Carolina  volunteers,  who  were  some  hundred 
yards  to  the  rear,  throwing  up  a  work  for  the  protection  of  their 
camp.  This  regiment  immediately  sprang  to  arms  and  engaged 
the  enemy  with  spirit,  under  the  lead  of  their  brave  but  unfortu- 
nate commander,  McKinney,  aided  by  the  16th  Georgia  regi- 
ment; but  when  the  gallant  McKinney  fell,  a  temporary  confu- 
sion was  produced,  which  was  increased  by  an  unauthorized  order 
to  fall  back.  At  this  moment,  through  the  retreating  North  Car- 
olinians, the'  7th  Georgia  regiment.  Col.  Wilson,  of  Anderson's 
brigade,  Toombs'  division,  with  fixed  bayonets  and  the  steadi- 
ness of  veterans,  charged  the  rifle-pits  and  drove  the  enemy  from 
them  with  great  slaughter,  supported  by  the  8th  Georgia,  under 
Col.  Lamar,  and  the  companies  of  Captains  Martin  and  Burke, 
under  Major  Norwood,  of  the  2d  Louisiana.     Subsequently  the 


enemy  massed  heavier  bodies  of  troops  and  again  approached  tha 
stream. 

It  was  now  evident  that  a  most  serious  and  energetic  attack, 
in  large  force,  was  being  made  to  break  our  centre,  under,  it  is 
believed,  the  immediate  eye  of  McClellan  himself;  but  Brigadier 
General  Howell  Cobb,  who  was  in  command  at  that  point,  form- 
ing the  2d  Louisiana, .7lh  and  8th  Georgia,  of  Col.  Anderson's 
brigade,  the  IGth  and  24th  Georgia,  and  Cobb's  Legion,  in  line  of 
battle  on  our  front,  received  the  attack  with  great  ^rmness,  and 
the  enemy  recoiled  with  loss  from  the  steady  fire  of  our  troops 
before  reaching  the  middle  of  the  water.  Brig.  Gen.  McLaws, 
commanding  the  26.  division,  of  which  Cobb's  command  formed  a 
part,  hearing  the  serious  firing,  hastened  to  the  scene  of  action, 
and  exhibited  great  coolness  and  judgment  in  his  arrangements. 
The  10th  Louitiana,  15th  Vfrginia,  a  part  of  the  17th  Missis- 
sippi- and  the  11th  Alabama,  were  ordered  up  as  reserves,  and 
were  placed  in  position,  the  10th  Louisiana  marching  to  its  placo 
under  a  heavy  fire,  with  the  accuracy  of  a  parade  drill.  The 
other  regiments  were  assigned  positions  out  of  the  range  of 
fire.  In  addition,  Gen.  McLaws  placed  the  whole  of  his  divi- 
sion under  arms,  ready  to  move  jIs  circiunstances  might  require. 
Col.  Anderson  had  led  two  of  his  regiments — the  7th  and  8th 
Georgia — into  action,  and  held  two  others  in  reserve,  while  Brig. 
Gen.. Toombs  advanced  with  his  own  brigade,  under  the  immedi- 
ate command  of  Brig.  Gen.  Semmes,  close  to  the  scene  of  action, 
.  and  by  my  order,  having  just  arrived,  plnccd  two  regiments  of 
this  brigade  in  action,  retaining  tlie  rest  as  reserves.  These  dis- 
positions rendered  our  position  perfectly  secure,  and  the  enemy, 
suffering  from  his  two.  repulses,  darkness  put  an  end  to  tho 
contest. 

The  dispositions  of  Gen.  McLaws  were  skillfully  made.  Ilis 
whole  bearing  and  conduct  is  deserving  -of  the  highest  commen- 
dation. 

1  cannot  designate  all  the  many  gallant  officers  and  privates 
who  distinguished  themselves,  and  respectfully  call  the  attention 
of  the  Commanding  General  to  the  accompanying  reports  ;  but  I 
would  fail  to  do  my  duty,  if  I  did  not  mention  specially  somo 
particular  instances. 

Brigadier-General  Howell  Cobb  exhibited,  throughout  the  day, 
the  greatest  courage  and  skill,  and  when  once,  at  a  critical  mo- 


ment,  some  troops  in  his  line  of  battle  wavered,  he,  himself  in 
person,  rallied  the  troops  under  a  terrible  fire,  and  by  his  voic6 
jind  'example  entirely  re-established  their  steadiness. 

Brigadier-General  Toombs  had,  in  the  morning,  by  my  order, 
detached  from  his  division.  Col.  Anderson's  brigade,  to  support 
Brigadier-General  Cobb,  and  late  in  the  evening,  when  ordered 
forward  by  me,  promptly  and  energetically  led  the  rehaainder  of 
his  command  under  fire,  arriving  just  before  the  enemy  ceased 
the  vigi>r  of  his  attack,  and  in  time  to  share  its  dangers. 

Brigadier-General  P.    J.    Semmes   commanded    Toombs'  bri- • 
gade — the  latter  being  in  command  of  the  division — and  showed 
his  usual  promptness  and  courage. 

Col.  Levy,  of  the  2d  Louisiana  Regiment,  was  the  Colonel 
commanding  at  Dam  No.  1,  and  evinced  judgment,  courage  and 
high  soldierly  qualities,  in  his  conduct  and  arrangements,  which 
I  desire  specially  to  commend. 

Capt.  Stanley  was  in  command  af  two  pierces  of  artillery,  in- 
cluding the  six-pounder  so  effectively  served.  Both  he  and  Lieut. 
Pope  conducted  themselves  with  skill  and  courage. 

Capt.  Jordan's  piece  was  in  a  very  exposed  place*  and  was  soon 
disabled  after  a  few  rounds,  and  was  properly  withdrawu.  Both 
he  and  his  men  exhibited  great  steadiness  under  the  terrible  fire 
which  swept  over  them. 

The  enemy's  loss,  of  course,  cannot  be  accurately  estimated, 
as  the  greater  part  of  it  occurred  over  on  their  side  of  the  stream, 
but  I  think  it  could  have  scarcely  been  less  than  six  hundred 
killed  and  .wounded.  Our  own  loss  was  comparatively  trivial, 
owing  to  the  earthworks  which  covered  our  men,  and  did  not 
exceed  seventy-five  killed  and  wounded. 

All  the  reinforcements  which  were  on  the  way  to  me  had  not 
yet  joined  me,  so  that  I  was  unable  to  follow  up  the  action  of  the 
16th  April  by  any  deci'sive  step.  The  reinforcements  were  ac- 
companied by  officers  who  ranked  me,  and  I  ceased  to  command. 

I  cannot  too  highly  commend  the  conduct  of  the  officers  and 
men  of  my  whole  command,  who  cheerfully  submitted  to  the 
greatest  hardships  and  deprivations.  From  the  4th  of  April  to 
the  3d  of  May  this  army  served  almost  without  relief  in  the 
trenches.  Many  companies  of  artillery  were  never  relieved 
during  this  long  period.  It  rained  almost  incessantly :  the 
trenches  were  filled  with  water;  the  weather  was  exceedingly 


cold.;  no  fires  could  be  allowed;  the  artillery  and  infiintry  of 
the  enemy  played  upon  oui*  men' almost  continuously  day  and 
night ;  the  army  had  neither  coffee,  sugar,  nor  hard  bread,  but 
subsisted  on  flour  and  salt  meat,  and  that  in  reduced  quantities; 
and  yet  no  murmurs  Avere  heard.  Their  gallant.comrades  of  the 
army  of  the  Potomac,  and  the  -Department  of  Norfolk,  though 
not  so  long  a  time  exposed  to  these  suflferings,  shared  these  hard- 
ships and  dangers,  with  equal  firmness  and  cheerfulness. 

I  have  never  seen,  and  I  do  not  oelieve  that  there  ever  has 
existed  an  army  (the  combined  army  of  the  Potomac,  Pen'insula 
and  Norfolk,)  which  has  shown  itself,  for  so  long  a  time,  so  supe- 
rior to  all  hardships  and  dangers.  The  best  drilled  regulars  the 
world  has  ever  seen  would  have  mutinied  under  a  continuous  ser- 
vice in  the  trenches  for  twenty-nine  days,  exposed  every  moment 
to  musketry  and  shells,  in  water  to  their  knees,  without  fire,  sugar 
or  coffee — without  stimulants,  and  with  an  inadequate  supply  of 
uncooked  flour  and  Salt  meat.  I  speak  of  it  in  honor  of  these 
brave  men,  whose  patriotism  made  them  indifferent  to  suffering, 
to  disease,  to  danger  and  death.  Indeed,  the  conduct  of  the 
ofiicers  and  men  was  such  as  to  deserve  throuo-hout  the  hii2;hest 
commendation. 

I  beg  leave  to  invite  the  attention  of  the  Department  to  the 
reports,  which  accompany  this,  and  to  commend  the  officers  and 
men  there  named  to  the  most  favored  consideration  of  the  Govern- 
ment. 

It  is  but  just  to  Col.  Charles  A.  Crump  that  I  should  bear  tes- 
timony to  the  gallantry,  zeal  and  decided  ability,  with  which  he 
performed  the  various  duties  of  commander  of  the  post  at  Glou- 
cester Point  during  the  year  in  which  he  was  under  my  com- 
mand.* He  was  worthdy  supported  on  all  occasions  by  Lieut. 
Col.  P.  R.  Page,  and  the  other  officers  and  men  constituting  his 
force. 

That  accomplished  officer,  Captain  Thomas  Jefferson  Page,  of 
the  Navy,  successfully  applied  the  resources  of  his  genius  and 
ripe  experience  to  the  defence  of  Gloucester  Point,  whilst  the  im-- 
portant  work  opposite  was  commanded  with  devoted  zeal  and 
gallantry  by  Brig.  Gen.  Raines. 

My  thanks  are  due  to  Captain  Chatard,  of  the  Navy,  for  valua- 
ble services,  as  Inspector  of  Batteries,  and  to  Lieut.  Col.  Noland 


•     10 

late  of  the  Navy,  the  efficient  Commander  of  the  batteries  at 
Mulberry  Island  Point. 

That  patriotic  and  scientific  soldier,  Col.  B.  S.  Ewell,  rendered 
important  services  to  the  country  during  ray  occupation  of  the 
Peninsula,  as  did  Col.  Hill  Carter,  the  Commander  at  James- 
town, and  bis  successor,  Maj.  J.  R.  C.  Lewis. 

I  should  fail  in  my  duty  to  the  country,  and  especially  to  the 
State  of  Virginia,  if  I  neglected  to  record  the  self-sacrificing 
conduct  of  Captain  William  Allen,  of  the  Artillery.  At  the 
Tery  commencement  of  the  war  this  gentleman  erected  at  his 
own  expense,  on  Jamestown  Island,  extensive  fortifications  for 
the  defence  of  the  river,  and  from  that  time  until  he  was  driven 
from  his  home,  he  continued  to  apply  the  resources  of  his  large 
estate  to  the  benefit  of  the  country,  and  so  great  and  disin- 
terested were  his  zeal  and  devotion  as  an  officer,  that  he  lost 
almost  the  whole  of  his  immense  possessions  in  endeavoring  to 
save  the  public  property  committed  to  his  charge,  and  that  of  the 
commanding  officers.  I  cannot  commend  his  conduct  as  an  officer 
too  highly  to  the  Government,  nor  his  patriotism  as  a  citizen  too 
•warmly  to  the  love  and  respect  of  his  countrymen. 

To  Capt.  Rives,  Capt.  St.  John,  Capt.  Clarke  and  Capt.  Dim- 
mQ'ck,  of  the  Engineers,  and  their  able  assistants,  the  country  is 
■greatly  indebted  for  the  formidable  works  which  enabled  me  to 
l^eet  and  repulse,  with  a  very  small  force,  the  attack  of  an  army 
tof  over  one  hundred  thousand  well-drilled  men,  commanded  by 
ithe  best  officers  of  the  enemy. 

i      I  cannot  close  this  report  without  publicly  bearing  testimony 

V  to  the  great  and  devoted  services  of  the  cavalry  of  the  Peninsula, 

4^  long  under  my  command,  always  in  the  presence  of  superior 

^CTlSgs  of  the  enemy.    I  owe  much  of  the  success  which  attended 

mywRjHs  to  keep  them  within  the  walls  of  their  fortresses  to 

the  alacrity,  daring,  vigilance  and  constancy  of  the  Cavalry  of 

the  3rd  Virginia  Regiment,  and  the  independent  companies  from 

James  City,  Matthews,  Gloucester  and  King  &  Queen  counties. 

The  services  rendered  by  the  officers  of  my  Staff  have  been 
invaluable.  To  these  I  owe  my  acknowledgments,  Capts.  Bryan 
and  Dickinson,  of  the  A-djutant-General's  Department ;  Majors 
Magruder  and  Brent,  of  the  Commissary  and  Ordnance  Depart- 
ments, respectively ;  Captain  White,  acting  Chief  Quartermas-. 


/.::^ 


\^ 


11 


ter ;  Col.  Cabell,  Chief  of  Artillery ;  Lieut.  Col.  Cary,  Acting 
Inspector  General;  Lieut.  Douglas,  of  the  Engineers;  Lieuts. 
Eustis  and  Alston,  Aides-de-Camp  ;  Mr.  J.  R.  Bryan,  Mr.  H.  M. 
Stanard,  Mr.  D.  F.  Brashear,  and  Mr.  H.  A.  Boyce,  who,  as 
volunteer  aids,  have  rendered  most  important  services  ;  and  to 
private  E.  P.  Turner,  of  the  New  Kent  Cavalry,  on  duty  somo 
times  in  the  field,  at  others  in  the  Assistant  Adjutant-Generarg 
oflSce. 

My  thanks  are  jdue  to  Lieut.  Col.  Ball,  of  the  Virginia  Caval- 
ry, who,  for  several  weeks  during  the  siege,  acted  as  a  volunteer 
aid.  His  conduct  on  the  5th,  in  my  immediate  presence,  and 
under  a  severe  fire  of  the  enemy  was  very  gallant,  and  worthy 
of  the  high  reputation  which  he  won  at  Manassas. 
•  I  am,  also,  greatly  indebted  to  Major  George  Wray,  of  tho 
115th  Virginia  militia,  who  has  aided  me  in  the  administration, 
civil  as  well  as  military,  of  the  affairs  "of  the  Peninsula,  and  to 
Lieuts.  Jos.  Phillips  and  Causey,  of  the  Cavalry  of  the  Con- 
federate Army.  The  local  knowledge  of  these •oflUcers  has  been 
of  great  advantage  to  the  service,  whilst  their  intrepidity  and 
enterprise  have  been  in  the  highest  degree  conspicuous  on  every 
occasion. 

I  cannot  express  too  strongly  my  estimate  of  the  services  rcn- 
^  dered  by  my  Chief  Quartermaster,  i\Lijor  Bloomfield.'  Soon  after 
^  ^'v  he  took  charge,  he  introduced  ordor,  promptness  and  economy  in 
,-  ^  the  management  of  his  department.  The  scarcity  of  suppliei 
»(  i  and  materials  Avas  so  great  as  to  make  it  alrfiost  impossible  to 
\  ^  procure  them.  The  genius,  energy  and  extraordinary  industry 
^  y  of  Maj.  Bloomfield,  however,  overcame  all  obstacles,  and  enabled 
^v  the  army  of  the  Peninsula  to  move,  to  march,  and  to  fiirht  with  , 
^  '  the  regularity  of  a  machine.  This  statement  is  made  in  justice  • - 
^    to  Major  Bloomfield,  who  is  absent  on  account  of  sickness  at  the 

\.      time  that  I  write.  

I  ask  the  attention,  also,  of  the  government  to  the  valuable 
service's  rendered  by  Mr.  William  Norris,  of  Baltimore,  the  sig- 
nal officer  in  charge  of  the  signal  service  of  the  Peninsula,  and 
to  those  of  his  efficient  assistant,  Lieut.  Lindsay,  of  the  15tli 
Virginia  Regiment. 

The  steadiness  and  heroism  of  the  officers  and  men  of  the  ar- 
tillery of  the  Peninsula,  both  heavy  and  light,  were  very  con- 
spicuous during  the  attack  on  the  5th  April,  and  throughout  the 


12 

siege  vrliich  follo'wed.  The  high  state  of  efficiency  of  this  arm 
of  the  service  was  mainly  due  to  Col.  George  W.  Randolph, 
Chief  of  Artillery  on  my  Staif,  who  applied  to' its  organization, 
discipline  and  preparation  for  the  field,  the  resources  of  his  great 
genius  and  Experience.  To  this  intrepid  officer  and  distinguished 
citizen,  the  country  is  indebted  for  the  most  valuable  services 
from  the  battle  of  Bethel,  where  his  artillery  principally  con- 
tributed to  the  success  of  the  day,  to  the  period  when  Ke  was 
removed  from  my  command  by  promotion.  He  was  ably  assisted 
by  Lieut.  Cols.  Cabell  and  Brown  of  the  same  corps. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir. 
Very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed)  •     '    J.  BANKIIEAD  MAGRUDER,       • 

Major-General  Commanding. 


REPORT. 


Richmond,  Aug.  12,  1862. 

To  the  Adjutant- General  of  Gen.  Ro.  E.  Lee, 

Commanding  Army  Northern  Virginia. 

■  Sir, — About  the  25th  June*  I  received  from  Lieut.  Col.  R.  IL 
Chilton,  Assistant  Adjutant-Genftral,  on  the  Staff  of  Gen.  Lee, 
Commanding  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia,  an  order  giving  a 
general  plan  of -operation^  about  to  be  undertaken  against  the 
enemy,  whose  troops  occupied  the  right  and  left  banks  of  the 
Chickahominy,  the  greater  number  being  immediately  in  front  of 
the  lines  occupied  by  me,  and  the  division  of  Major-General 
linger,  on  my  right. 

This  directed  me  in  general  terms  to  hold  my  position  in  front 
of  the  enemy  against  attack,  and  at  all  hazards ;  to  make  such 
demonstrations  as  to  discover  his  operations ;  and  in  case  of  the 
abandomcnt  of  his  entrenchments  to  pursue  him  closely. 

I  was  in  command  of  three  divisions,  those  of  Major-Gcneral 
McLaws,  Brigadier-General  D.  R.  Jones,  and  my  own,  each 
consisting  of  two  brigades,  the  numerical  strength  being  about 
thirteen  thousand  men. 

In  obedience  to-  thtse  instructions,  I  caused  the  pickets  and 
skirmishers  to  observe  the  utmost  vigilance — attacked  the  enemy's 
pickets,  from  time  to  time,  and  opened  a  frequent  fire  of  artillery 
on  his  works  to  ensure  a  full  knowledge  of  liis  position,  strength 
and  movements,  as  far  as  it  was  possible,  moving  my  own  hcad- 
(juarters  to  the  line  occupied  by  the  trodps,  and  sleeping  near 
them  in  order  to  observe  more  closely. 


14 

After  the  battle  of  Friday,  the  27th  June,  on  the  opposite 
bank  of  the  Chickatiominy,  it  was  ascertained  that  the  enemy 
had  withdrawn  his  troops  to  the  right  bank,  and  therefore  the 
whole  of  his  forces  were  massed  in  front  of  our  lines,  and  that  he 
bad  destroyed  the  bridges  over  this  river,  thereby  separating  our 
army,  and  concentrating  his  own.  I  immediately  ordered,  with- 
out awaiting  instructions,  the  bridge,  known  as  the  New  Bridge, 
to  be  re-built,  which  was  done  by  the  troops  under  Brig.  Gen. 
Jones,  in  order  to  establish  at  least  one  line  of  communication 
between  the  two  portions  of  our  army.  This  was  completed  on 
Saturday,  28th. 

On  the  same  day  Brig.  Gen.  Jones  came  up  to  my  headquar- 
ters, and  informed  me  that  Brig.  Gen.  Toombs  had  ordered  an 
attack  on  the  enemy's  line  of  rifle-pits,  on  Goulding's  farm,  and 
asked  if  I  had  given  such  an  order.  Upon  my  replying  in  the 
negative,  he  said  he  had  not  authorized  it,  and  I  directed  Iiim  at 
once  to  countermand  it — it  being  in  violation  of  orders  previously 
received  from  Gen.  Lee,  and  at  the  moment  reiterated  through 
Capt.  Latrobe,  of  Brig.  Gen.  Jones'  Staff,  just  from  Gen.  Lee, 
to  the  effect  that  I  should  not  make  .any  attack  on  the  enemy  in 
my  front  unless  absolutely  certain  of  success,  except  in  co-opera- 
tion with  the  movements  of  the  Commander-in-Chief.  I  was  the 
more  anxious  to  have  this  order  countermanded,  as,  if  this  attack 
were  unsuccessful,  it  might  lead  to  an  advance  of  the  enemy,  to 
the  seizure  of  Garnett's  farm,  the  turning  of  the  left  of  our  lines, 
and  the  fall  of  Richmond. 

Brig.  Gen.  Jones  sent  the  countermanding  order  by  Captain 
Ford,  of  his  Staff;  and  soon  after  he  left,  Lieut.  Col.  Lee  re- 
ported to  me  that  our  men  had  already  attacked,  and  carried  the 
enemy's  rifle-pits  at  Goulding's. 

I  immediately  sent  a  message  to  that  effect  to  General  Lee, 
Btating'that  the  work  was  carried-  by  our  troops,  who  had  been 
ordered  by  Brig.  Gen.  Toombs  to  attack,  -and  at  the  same  time 
directed  Captain  Dickinson,  my  Assistant  Adjutant-General,  to 
go  to  the  spot,  and  to  ascertain  further  the  state  of  the  case. 
Proceeding  in  the  direction  of  Goulding's  myself,  I  met  Captain 
Dickinson  returning,  who  informed  me  that  when  he  had  arrived 
near  Mr.  James  Garnett's  house,  he  met  Col.  Anderson,  who  was 
just  withdrawing  his  troops,  who  informed  him  that  the  attack 


15 

had  been  made  by  order  of  Brig.  Gen.  Toombs  without  the  au- 
thority from  myself,  or  Brig.  Gen.  Jones,  and  that  it  was  un- 
Bucccssful.  This  information  I  also  communicated  to  Gen.  Lee, 
by  whom  I  was  ordered  to  obtain  a  report  on  the  subject  from 
Brig.  Gen.  Toombs,  and  to  forward  it  to  the  Secretary  of  AVar. 
Events  followed  so  rapidly  on  each  other,  that  I  had  not  time 
to  obtain  this  report ;  and  when  the  operations  of  the  week  were 
ended,  I  took  no  further  steps,  as  I  knew  that  both  Brigadier- 
Generals  Jones  and  Toombs  would  make  their  written  reports 
on  the  subject.  I  beg  leave  now  to  refer  to  that  portion-  of 
their  reports  in  further  explanation  of  the  circumstances  of  this 
affair. 

From  the  time  at  which  the  enemy  withdrew  his  forces  to  this 
Bide  of  the  Chickahominy,  and  destro3'ed  the  bridges,  to  the 
moment  of  his  evacuation — that  is,  from  Friday  night  until  Sun- 
day morning,  I  considered  the  situation  of  our  arfny  as  extremely 
critical  and  perilous.  The  larger  portion  of  it  was  on  the  oppo- 
site side  of  the  Chickahominy,  the  bridges  had  been  all  destroyed, 
but  one  was  re-built — the  New  Bridge — which  was  commanded 
fully  by  the  enemy's  guns  from  Goulding's ;  and  there  were  but 
twenty-five  thousand  men  between  his  army  of  one  hundred . 
thousand  and  Richmond.  I  received  repeated  instructions  dur- 
ing Saturday  night  from  General  Lee's  head-quarters,  enjoining 
upon  my  command  the  utmost  vigilance,  directing  the  men  to 
sleep  on  their  arms,'and  to  be  prepared  for  whatever  might  occur. 
These  orders  were  promptly  communicated  by  me  to  the  different 
commanders  of  my  forces,  and  were  also  transmitted  to  General 
Hyger,  on  my  right.  I  passed  the  night  without  sleep,  and  in 
the  superintendence  of  their  execution. 

Had  McClellan  massed  his  whole  force  in  column,  and  ad- 
vanced it  against  any  point  of  our  line  of  battle,  as  was  done 
at  Austerlitz  under  similar  circumstances,  by  the  greatest  captain 
of  any  age,  though  the  head  of  his  column  would  have  suffered 
greatly,  its  momentum  would  have  insured  him  success,  and  the 
occupation  of  our  works  about  Richmond,  and,  consequently,  of 
the  city,  might  have  been  his  reward.  His  failure  to  do  so  is 
the  best  evidence  that  our  wise  commander  fully  understood  the 
character  of  his  opponent.  Our  relief  was  therefore  great  when 
intelligence  reached  us  almost  simultaneously,  from  Col.  Chilton, 


16         ■ 

and  one  of  my  staff,  that  the  enemy,  whose  presence  had  been 
ascertained  as  late  as  3|  o'clock,  A.  M.,  had  evacuated  his  -works 
and  ■WHS  retreating. 

Col.  Chilton,  who  rode  into  my  camp  on  Sunday  morning,  hur- 
ried me  off  to  see  Gen.  Lee  on  the  nine  mile  road,  and  I  gave, 
while  riding  -with  him,  the  necessary  orders  to  put  in  motion  my 
whole  command,  which  extended  over  a  distance  of  some  miles, 
directing  BrigadieT- General  Griffith's  brigade,  which  was  nearest 
to  the  road,  to  advance  at  once  from  the  centre,  and  ordering 
Bngadicr-General  Jones's  Division,  in  advancing,  to  incline, 
towards  Fair  Oak  Station,  as  I  Jiad  been  informed  that  Major- 
General  Jackson  had  crossed,  or  was  crossing,  the  "  Grape-vine" 
Bridge,  and  would  operate  down  the  Chickahominy. 

Having  overtaken  General  Lee,  we  rode  together  down  the 
Nine  Mile  Road,  and  the  General  informed  me  of  the  plans  which 
he  had  adopted'for  the  pursuit  of  the  enemy.  They  were  as  fol- 
lows :  Major-General  Lo7igsfreet's  Division  was  to  have  crossed 
the  New  Bridge  and  to  take  post  on  our  extreme  right,  so  as  to 
intercept  the  enemy  in  his  attempl;  to  reach  James  "River.  Major- 
Qeneral  Hugers  Division  to  march  down  the  Williamsburg  Road, 
on  my  right  flank,  and  Major-General  Jackson's  Division,  \^\\\cii. 
he  stated  had  crossed,  or  was  crossing,  the  "  Grape-vine"  Bridge 
over  the  Chickahominy  River,  was  to  operate  down  that  river,  on 
its  right  bank,  whilst-  my  own  command  would  press  him  vigor- 
ously in  front. 

On  our  arrival  at  Fair  Oak  Station,  we  found  the  enemy's  lines 
in  that  vicinity,  which  had  been  evacuated,. in  possession  of  a 
part  of  Brigadier-General  Kershaw's  Brigade,  the  remainder^ of 
my  command  being  then  on  the  marcK.  Here,  General  Lee, 
having  repeated  his  instructions,  left  the  ground. 

I  directed  Major-General  McLaws  to  consolidate  Kershaw's 
Brigade,  and  place  it  on  the  right  of  the  Railrgad,  and  as  the 
'other  briijade  of  Gen.  McLaws  did  not  arrive  for  some  time,  I 
ordered  two  regiments  of  an  advanced  brigade,  (GrijBBth's),  of  my 
own  division,  to  take  post,  in  reserye,  also  on  the  right  of  the 
•  Railroad,  so  as  to  support  Kershaw's  Brigade,  leaving  the  Wil- 
liamsburg road,  still  further  on  our  right,  unoccupied*,  and  open 
for  Huger.  I  then  formed  the  other  two  regiments  of  Griffith's 
Brigade  oi^  the  left  of  Gen.  Kershaw's,  their  right  resting  on  the 


17 

Railroad.  Brigadier-General  Cobb's,  which  marched  in  rear  of 
General  Griffith's,  was,  as  soon  as  it  arrived,  formed  on  the  left 
of  these  two  regiments,  two  of  his  own  being  kept  in  reserve. 

I  then  dispatched  astaffofficer  to  ascertain  the  position  of  Gen. 
Jones's  Division,  Avhich  had  crossfd  the  swamp  at  Goulding'a 
house,  and  directed  it  to  be  formed  on  the  left  of  General  Cobb, 
with  the  proper  interval.  Whilst  these  dispositions  were  being 
made,  I  ordered  skirmishers  to  be  thrown  out  in  front  of  General 
Kershaw's,  Brigade,  and  my  own  division,  to  find  the  enenjj  and 
ascertain  his  position.  The  enemy  having  tlirown  up  a  heavy 
obstruction  across  t^e  Railroad  track,  I  caused  men  to  be  de- 
tailed for  the  purpose  of  i-emoving  it,  for  the  passage  down  the 
road  of  a  iieavy  rifled  gun,  mounted  on  a  railway  carriage,  and 
protected  by  an  inclined  plane  of  iron.  I  also  dispatched  a  staff 
officer  towards  "  Grape-vine  "  Bridge,  some  three  miles  off,  to 
ascertain  the  position  of  Major-General  Jackson's  troops,  which, 
I  had  supposed  from  the  statements  above  given,  had  already 
crossed. 

These  orders  givcn^  and  disposition  made,  I  received  informa- 
tion from  Brigadier-General  Jones  that  the  enemy  was  in  force 
in  his  front,  and  fortified.  This,  it  was  reported  to  me,  was 
derived  from  a  prisoner,  who  had  been  just  captured ;  and  the 
presence  of  the  enemy  in  front  was  verified  by  the  skirmishers 
of  General  Jones  being  engaged  Avith  those  of  the  enemy. 

I  received,  about  the  same  time,  a  communication  from  General 
McLaws,  stating  that  the  enem}^  was  in  front  of  Kershaw's  Bri- 
gade, and  in  works  well  manned.  Desiring  to  ascertain  the  ex- 
tent of  his  front,  I  directed  Brigadier-General  Cobb  to  detail  a 
trusty  officer,  and  some- of  his  best  skirmishers,  to  feel  the  enemy, 
if  to  be  found  in  front  of  my  division,  and  to  report  the  result. 

In  the  meantime  Major  Bryan,  the  staff  officer  who  had  been 
sent  to  Major- General  Jackson,  returned  with  his  engineer, 
Lieutenant  Boswell,  who  reported  that  Major-General  Jackson 
was  compelled  to  rebuild  the  Bridge,  which  would  be  completed 
in  about  two  hours,  Major  Bryan  reporting  that  IMajor-Gcneral 
Jackson  had  crossed  but  a  small  portion  of  his  inf;jntry,  not  moro 
than  three  companies,  over  the  broken  bridge.  About  the  same 
time  I  received  a  message  frotn  Major-Gcneral  Hugcr,  staling 
that  a  large  portion  of  his  command  had  been  sent  elsewlicre, 
2 


18 

but  that  •with  two  brigades  he  would  soon  march  down  on  the 
Williamsburg  road. 

Having  passed  up  the  country  near  the  railroad,  on  our  retreat 
from  the  neighborhood  of  New  Kent  court-house,  I  knew  that 
there  was  a  road  leading  ffom  "  Grape-vine  Ford,"  where  the 
enemy  had  afterwards  constructed  the  bridge,  to  the  railroad 
bridge  near  Savage  Station,  passing  to  the  right  and  rear  of  the 
enemy  now  in  our  front,  and  that  when  Maj.  Gen.  Jackson  ad- 
vanced he  would  probably  move  on  that  road.  I  determined 
therefore  to  await  that  advance,  and  to  request  Major-General 
Huger,  when  he  came  up,  to  move  down  the  Williamsburg  road, 
and  enveloping  both  flanks  of  the  eniemy  and  attacking  him  in 
front,  at  the  same  time,  I  hoped  to  capture  his  rear  guard,  which 
1  ascertained  from  prisoners,  and  from  the  reconnoitering  parties 
in  front,  to  be  at  least  a  division. 

The  enemy  having  ascertained  the  general  disposition  of  our 
troops,  opened  a  brisk  artillery  fire  upon  the  railroad  and  our 
centre,  unfortunately  mortally  wounding  the  gallant  Gen.  Grif- 
fith, commander  of  the  3d  Mississippi  Brigade,  who  was  borne 
from  the  field,  and  died  the  next  morning.  The  enemy's  fire  was 
responded  to  with  effect  by  the  railroad  battery,  as  well  as  by" 
Carlton's  battery,  which  that  practised  artillerist,  Lieut.  Col. 
Stephen  D.  Lee,  had  placed  in  advance,. in  a  commanding  posi- 
tion, in  front  of  our  centre. 

The  enemy  was  now  reported  advancing,  and^this  report  being 
confirmed  after  a  reconnoissance  by  Lieut.  Col.  Lee,  I  galloped  to 
the  right  of  the  line  to  see  Gen.  Huger,  who  had  arrived  with  two 
brigades,  and  to  give  him  such  information  as  would  enable  him 
to  dispose  his  troops  in  the  best  manner  for  the  protection  of  our 
right  flank.  Having  accomplished  this,  I  returned  to  the  left, 
and  threw  forward  the  left  wing  of  Gen.  Griffith's  Brigade,  and 
the  whole  of  Gen.  Cobb's,  in  order  to  occupy  a  more  command- 
ing position,  and  a  wood,  which  skirted  a  field,  across  whioh  the 
enemy  would  have  to  march. 

•  This  had  no  sooner  been  done  than  I  received  information  from 
Major-GeneraJ  Huger  that  his  two  brigades  would  be  withdrawn, 
as  I  understood,  for  other  service,  and  subsequently  a  note  reached 
me  from  Gen.  Jones,  stating  ihht  Maj.  G-en.  Jackson  regretted 
that  he  could  not  co-operate  with  him,  as  he  had  been  ordered  on 
other  important  duty.     (See  Appendix  No.  1.) 


Id 

Thus  the  forces  which  General  Lee  had  left  to  operate  against 
the  enemy,  being  reduced  from  some  thirty-iive  or  forty  thousand! 
to  some  thirteen  thousand  men,  I  was  compelled  to  abandon  the 
plan  of  capturing  any  large  portion  of  the  enemy's  forces,  and 
directed  that  Semmes'  Brigade,  (McLaws'  Division,)  should  bo 
placed  on  the  Williamsburg  road,  and  Cobb's  on  the  left  of  the 
railroad,  in  line  with  Kershaw's,  Jones'  Division  being  on  the 
extreme  left,  and  Barkesdalc's  Brigj^de  marching  in  reserve  be- 
.hind  the  centre.  I  ordered  the  whole  to  move  to  the  ^ont,  and 
each  commander  to  attack  the  enemy,  in  whatever  force,  or  Work^ 
he, might  be  found.  This  was  executed  promfftly  and  in  beauti- 
ful order,  though  the  ground  was  difficult  and  the  wood  dense. 

Kershaw's  Brigade  soon  became  engaged  with  the  enemy,  who 
took  refuge  in  the  works  on  the  Williamsburg  road,  from  which 
he  Was  driven  in  gallant  style  by  the  infantry  advance,* and  by 
the  excellent  artillery  practice  of  Kemper's  battery.  Retreating 
from  work  to  work,  pursued  by  our  line,  which  swept  tlirough 
his  camps,  with  little  interruption,  the  enemy  was  at  last  driven 
as  far  as  Savage  Station,  where  a  strong  line  of  battle  was 
formed,  ready  to  receive  us.  lie  also  occupied  the  wood  in  front 
of  the  Station.  Here  Kershaw's  Brigade  engaged  him  frankly 
and  furiously,  and  was  gallantly  supported  by  Kemper's  battery 
and  Semmes'  Brigade  on  his  right. 

Taking  my  position  on  the  railroad  bridge,  which  commanded 
a  good  view  of  the  fight  and  of  the  enemy's  line  of  battle,  I 
directed  the  railroad  battery,  commanded  most  efficiently  by 
Lieut.  Barry,  to  advance  to  the  front  so  as  to  cleai^  in  some  de- 
gree, the  deep  cut,  over  which  the  bridge  was  thrown,  and  to  open 
his  fire  upon  the  enemy's  masses  below,  which  was  dune  with 
terrible  effect.  The  enemy  soon  brought  the  fire  of  his  artillery 
and  infantry  to  bear  upon  the  railroad  battery  and  bridge,  whilst 
he  advanced  a  heavy  line  of  infantry  to  support  the  troops  al- 
ready en^ged  to  capture  our  artillery,  and  turn  our  right  flanlc 
Gen.  McLaws  finding  himself  pressed,  sent  for  reinforcements. 
I  dispatched  at  once  two  regiments  of  Griffith's,  (now  Barkes- 
dalc's Brigade,)  the  17th  Regiment,  Ool.  Iloldcn,  and  the  21st 
Regiment,  Colonel  Humphries.  These  were  gallantly  led  into 
action — Major  Brent,  of  my  Staff,  bearing  the  onler.  Soon  by 
their  steadiness  and  excellence  of  fire,  as  attested  by  the  number 
of  dead  found  in  their  front  the  next  morning,  they  checked  the 


20 

enemy,  who  were  repulsed  bj  the  -whole  line  on  the  right  with 
great  slaughter.  The  enemy  having  sent  still  additional  troops 
to  sustain  the  fight,  I  directed  Col.  Barkesdale  to  move  to  the 
^support  of  our  right  with  his  remaining  force.  They  were  placed 
in  reserve,  under  cover  of  a  wood,  where  a  few  men  were  wounded 
from  the  long  range  muskets  of  the  enemy.  Night  coming  on, 
their  services  were  not  required.  The  battle  on  the  right  raged 
with  fury  for  about  two  hours,  and  darkness  put  an  end  to  the 
conflict,  pur  men  sleeping  on  their  arms,  and  in  the  advance  posi- 
tions, which  they  had  won. 

The  troops  on^he  left  of  the  road  were  not  engaged,  with  .the 
exception  of  two  pieces  of  artillery  attached  to  Gen.  Jones' 
Division,  which  did  good  service,  disorganizing  the  enemy's  line, 
and  causing  his  troops  to  change  position.  When  the  enemy 
attempted  to  turn  our  right  flank,  I  desired  to  move  a  portion  of 
Qen.  Jones'  command  to  the  right,  to  operate  on  the  Williams- 
burg road,  but  the  position  of  his  troops  could  not  be  ascertained 
until  it  was  too  late  to  do  so.  In  the  mean  time,  desiring  to 
have  troops  on  hand,-  ready  to  reinforce  still  further  General 
McLaws,  I  left  my  position  for  a  few  moments  to  confer  with 
Gen.  Cobb  on  the  left,  from  whose  command  I  detached  a  regi- 
ment, and  halted  it  near  the  railroad  bridge.  Whilst  with  Gen. 
Cobb,  an  Aid-de-Camp  of  Gen.  Lee,  Major  Taylor,  came  up  and 
informed  me  that  Gen.  Jackson  had  orders  to. co-operate  with 
me,  and  that  there  was  some  mistake  about  the  orders  directing 
him  elsewhere.  He  desired  to  see  Gen.  Jackson,  but  not  know- 
ing the  way  to  the  "  Grape-vine"  bridge,  the  Rev.  L.  W.  Allen, 
one  of  my  Staff",  who  knew  the  country  thoroughly,  volunteered 
to  deliver  any  message  he  might  send.  This  was  done,  and 
Gen.  Jackson  arrived  in  person  at  half  past  three  o'clock,  on 
Monday  morning,  to  which  hour  I  had  been  kept  up  by  the 
duties  of  the  night.  He  informed  me  that  his  troops  would  be 
up  probably  by  day-light.  I  then  slept  an  hour — the  first  in 
forty-eight. 

-    ^Previous  to.  the^  arrival  of  Gen.   Jackson,   I    considered   the 
f   situation  as  by  no  means  satisfactory.  *  Not  having  heard  from 
V  3Ir:,^-A-llen  during  the  night,  I  was  uncertain  whether  Gen.  Jack- 
son had  obeyed  his  orders  to  go  elsewhere  or  not,  and  I  was 
satisfied  that  there  was  at  least  a  corps  d'arm^e  in  front,  as  was 
proved  next  mornings  by  our  having  taken  prisoners  from  three 


V 

21 

divisions.  The  proportion  of  the  enemy's  force  toour  own  was 
probably  two  or  three  to  one.  I  therefore  asked  for  reinforce- 
ments in  case  Gen.  Jackson  did  not  join  me. 

Early  in  the  morning  on  Monday,  a  small  party  of  Texans,  of 
Hood's  Brigade,  ascertained  that  the  enemy  had  evacuated  their 
position  on  the  night  before. 

Several  hundred  prisoners,  twenty-five  hundred  sick  and 
wounded  in  the  hospitals,  a  large  amount  of  stores,  and  a  con- 
siderable number  of  wounded  on  the  field,  fell  into  our  hands. 
Here,  also,  some  of  (Tur  own  prisoners  were  re-taken,  among 
whom,  was  the  gallant  Colonel  Lamar,  of  Anderson's  Brigade^ 
captured  by  the  enemy  in  tlie  battle  of  Goulding's  farm.  I 
sent  the  prisoners  to  Richmond  in  charge  of  Captain  G.  P. 
Turner,  of  the  Marine  Corps,  and  placed  Major  Wray,  of  my 
Staff,  who  had  been  of  great  service  to  me  during  the  action,  in 
charge  of  the  enemy's  wounded,  the  hospital,  and  public  property. 
Our  loss  was  some  four  hundred  killed  and  wounded,  whilst  I 
estimate  that  of  the  enemy  to  be  not  less  than  three  thousand 
killed  and  Avounded — Gen.  Semmes  reporting  not  less  than  four 
hundred  dead  in  front  of  his  brigade  abne. 

In  this  engagement,  which  was  very  obstinate  and  well  con- 
tested, that  brilliant  and  gallant  soldier.  Gen.  Kershaw,  and  his 
brave  South  CaroUnians  were  particularly  distinguished,  and  were 
supported  in  the  most  gallant  manner  both  by  Gen.  Semmes  a,pd 
his  brigade,  and  by  Col.  Barksdale  and  the  two  regiments  of 
Mississippians  who  were  in*  the  action.  '  Capt.  Kemper  was  in- 
trepid, tenacious  and  skillful  in  the  management  of  his  guns,  and 
the  conduct  of  his  officers  and  men  is  deserving  of  the  highest 
commendation.  The  dauntless  and  dashing  manner  in  which 
Capt.  Inge,  of  Col.  Barkesdale's  Staff,  discharged  his  duties 
under  a  fire  of  great  severity,  won  my  admiration.  My  thanks 
arc  due  to  Maj.  Bryan,  Maj.  Brent,  Capt.  Dickinson  and  Lieut. 
Phillips,  of  my  Staff,  for  the  meritorious  and  distinguished  man- 
ner in  which  they  performed  their  duties  during  that  day.  Lieuts. 
Eustis  and  Alston,  Aids-de-Camp,  discharpjcd  their  various  duties 
with  zeal  and  gallantry. ^Maj.  DloomficM,  Chief  Quarterm; 
having  been  sent  from  the  field,  by  Gen.  Lee,  to  Richmonc 
important  business,  returned  in  time  to  remler  me  good  sei 
I  was  also  greatly  indebted  to  Mr.  J.  Randolph  Bryan  and  Mr. 


,<.  ".^vc  ,.  22 

Hugh  M.  Stanard,  volunteer  aids,  for  devoted  and  gallant  ser- 
rices  on  this,  as  on  many  previous  occasions. 

Next  morning  (Monday)  early,  I  received  orders  from  Gen. 
Lee,  in  person,  to  proceed  Avith  my  command  to  the  Darbytown 
road,  and  a  guide  was  furnished  by  him  to  conduct  me  thither. 
I  promptl}'-  put  my  column  in  motion,  and  marched  some  twelve 
miles  to  Timberlake's  store,  on  the  Darbytown  road,  where  I  ar- 
rived about  two  o'clock,.  P.  M.     There  I  received  a  note  from 
'Gen.  Lee's  headquarters,  informing  me  that  he,  with  Gen.  Long- 
Street,  was  at  the  intersection  of  the  New  Market,  Charles  Gity 
and  Quaker  roads,  and  enquired  how  far  I  had  progressed  en 
route  to  that  point.     [See  Appendix,  No.  2.] 
'X^  Soon  after,  I  i^eceived  a  communication,  also,  from  Gen.  Lee, 
■  /   through  Maj.  Bloomfield,  directing  me  to  halt  and  rest  my  meUj 
I    but  to  be  ready  to  move  at  any  time. 

In  obedience  to  this  order,  my  command  remained  at  this  place 
until  about  4|  o'clock,  P.  M.,  when  I  received  an  order  from 
Gen.  Longstreet  to  go  with  my  command  to  the  aid  of  Gen. 
Holmes,  on  the  New  Market  road.  The  owner  of  the  farm  at 
New  Market,  who  was  present  at  Timberlake's  store,  made  an 
©flfer,  which  was  accepted,  to  point  out  a  short  route  to  New 
Market  not  practicable  for  artillery.  The  troops  were  instantly 
put  in  motion;  the  artillery,  escorted  by  Semmes'  brigade,  pro- 
ceeded by  the  Darbytown  road,  the  infantry  by  the  shorter  one 
to  New  Market. 

After  the  column  had  marched,  I  received  another  order  from 
Gen.  Longstreet  directing  me  to  send  the  infantry  by  the  short- 
est route,  and  ta  depend  upon  him  for  artillery.  [See  Appendix, 
No.  3.]  This  plan  having  been  already  substantially  adopted, 
was  adhered  to. 
^<  Soon  after,  a  courier  informed  me  that  Col.  Chilton  wished  to 
^  see  me  in  front,  on  the  Darbytown  road,  and  that  he  was  sent  to 

conduct  me  to  him.  I  immediately  galloped  off  with  him,  and 
found  Col.  Chilton  near  the  intersection  of  the  Darbytown  and 
New  Bridge  roads.  He  asked  me  where  my  command  was,  and 
after  informing  him  what  disposition  had  been  made  of  my  troops 
by  order  of  Gen.  Longstreet,  he  said  he  would  shoAV  me  where  my 
right  would  be  placed  in  support  of  Gen.  Holmes,  and  conducting 
me  through  the  woods  to  what  is  known  as  the  River  road,  he 


a^ 


t^A.       Ct  \^ 


23 

pointed  out  the  intersection  of  the  road,  along  ^hich  we  came, 
with  the  River  road  as  the  point  at  which  my  right  was  to  rest, 
and  instructed  me  to  form  my  command  tliere,  nnd  to  march  it 
liiagonallj^  through  the  woods,  and  I  would  thus  find  the  position 
in  which  I  would  support  Gen.  Holmes. 

Having  previously  sent  a  Staff  officer  to  bring  up  Gen,  Semmes* 
Brigade,  which  had  been  escorting  the  artillery,  and  sending 
another  of  the  Staff  to  New  Market  to  hasten  the  troops,  I  left 
another  Staff  officer  to  designate  the  point  indicated  by  Col.  Chil- 
ton, and  galloped  mysfelf  to  the  front,  on  the  River  road,  in  the 
hope  of  finding  Gen.  Holmes.  After  going  about  a  mile  without 
being  able  to  see  him,  and  it  being  near,  sunset,  I  directed  an- 
other of  my  Staff  to  find  him,  and  inform  him  that  I  was  moving  x 
up  to  his  support  on  his  left.  I  returned  myself  to  the  position 
of  Gen.  Semmes,  to  which  I  had  ordered  my  conwnand  at  Ne\T 
Market  to  proceed  rapidly.  I  ordered  Gen.  Semmes  to  move 
forward  through  the  woods  in  obedience  to  Col.  Chilton's  direc- 
tions. He  replied  that  it  was  impossible  to  do  so,  owing  to  tho 
density  of  the  Voods  and  the  approaching  darkness,  without  dis- 
organizing his  command.  I  informed  him  that  it  was  Col.  Chil- 
ton's order,  and  he  attempted  to  execute  it.  I  then  galloped 
towards  New  Market,  with  the  view  of  hurrying  forward  tho 
remainder  of  my  command,  when  I  received  an  order  from  Gen. 
Longstrejt  to  bring  one-half  of  y;  to  the  position  occupied  by 
him,  and  very  soon  after  another  order  from  Col.  Chilton  to 
proceed  with  the  whole  of  it  to  Gen.  Longstreet.  This  order 
was  received  at  the  intersection  of  the  Darbytown  and  Long 
Bridge  roads.  I  instantly  dispatched  staff  officers  to  bring  up 
my  command,  directing  Gen.  McLaws'  Divisioi^vhich  had  been 
engaged  the  day  before,  and  was  extremely  fatigued,  to  form  tho 
rear.  I  remained  at  the  spot  until  the  head  of  my  advancing^ 
columns  reached  it,  when,  having  ordered  them  forward  on  tho 
Long  Bridge  road,  I  proceeded  rapidly  to  the'front,  and  reported 
myself  to  Gens.  Lee  and  Longstreet. 

Gen.  Lee  directed  me,  as  soon  as  my  troops  came  up,  to  relievo 
those  of  Gen.  Longstreet,  on  his  late  battle-field,  about  a  mile  and 
a  half  in  front.  Proceeding  to  the  battle-field,  I  directed  tho 
necessary  disposition  of  the  troops  to  be  made  as  soon  as  they 
should  come,  and  was  occupied  on  duty  until  three  o'clock,  A.  M., 
on  Tuesday  morning. 


/. 


24 

Having  slept  about  an  hour,  I  proceeded  before  sunrise  to  our 
front,  -where  I  learned  that,  the  enemy,  who  had  been  felt  accord- 
ing to  Gen.  Lee's  instructions  during  the  night,  was  still  in  posi- 
tion. Making  the  necessary  disposition  as  rapidly  as  possiblef 
which  could  rK)t  be  properly  done  in  the  darkness  of  the  preceding 
night,  I  advanced  in  line  of  battle,  capturing  some  prisoners  and 
a  hospital  of  wounded  men.  I  found  that  the  troops  in  front  were 
only  a  small  rear-guard,  a  portion  of  whom  made  their  escape. 
My  skirmishers  soon  came  in  contact  with  those  of  Gen.  Jack- 
son's, but  fortunately  recognising  each  other,  a  collision  was 
avoided. 

Being  anxious  to  pursue  these  slight  successes,  by  pressing- on 
the  retiring  enemy,  I  desired,  after  the  junction  with  Gen.  Jack- 
son's forces,  to  continue  my  direct  movement  to  the  front,  and 
volunteered  with  my  command  to  lead  in  the  pursuit  of  the 
enemy.  Gen.  Jackson  replied  that  his  troops  were  fresher  than 
mine,  and  Gen.  Lee  then  directed  me  to  proceed  by  the  Quaker 
road,  and  to  form  on  the  right  of  Jackson. 

Having  been  provided  with  three  guides — soldiers,  born  in  the 
immediate  neighborhood,  who  knew  thoroughly  all  the  roads — I 
put  my  troops  in  motion,  right  in  front,  to  march  on  the  Quaker 
road,  which  was  nearly  parallel  to  that  on  which  Jackson  marched, 
with  a  view  of  forming  a  line  of  battle  to  the  left,  and  thus  occu- 
pying that  road,  and  thus  renting  my  left  on  Jackson's  right. 
Gen.  Longstreet  having  expressed  some  doubt  as  to  the  road  in 
question  being  the  "  Quaker  road,"  I  examined  the  guides  sepa- 
rately, and  was  satisfied  that  they  were  right.  I  informed  him 
that,  if  he  would  give  me  an  order  to  move  by  any  other  road, 
I  would  obey  it  with  pleasure.  This  he  declined  to  do.  I  there- 
fore marched,  as  originally  ordered,  about  a  mile  and  a  half  on 
this  road;  Gen.  Longstreet,  who  had  now  overtaken  me,  expressed 
again  his  convictions  that  this  could  not  be  the  Quaker  road,  and 
desired  that  I  should  return  to  another  road  parallel  to  this,  but 
nearer  to  Jackson's  right.  An  order  to  the  same  effect  having 
been  communicated  by  a  staff  officer  of  Gen.  Lee  about  this  time, 
I  marched  in  the  new  direction.  It  turned  out  however,  in  point 
of  fact,  that  the  road  to  and  along  which  I  had  been  marching, 
following  the  guides,  was  and  is  the  "Quaker  road" — ^the  only 
one  universally  known  as  such  by  the  people  in  that  country. 


25 

(See  the  affidavits  of  the  three  guides  and  of  Mr.  Binfovd,  Ap- 
pendix No.  4.) 

Gen.  Lee  then  directed  me  to  place  my  troops  on  the  right  of 
Huger's,  who,  in  the  meantime,  had  formed  on  the  right  of 
Jackson.  Tliis  I  did  as  far  as  the  ground  would  permit,  placing 
my  three  divisions  eti  echelon  to  the  right  and  roar. 

•  I  had  scarcely  made  these  arrangements,  when  I  received  an 
order  from  Gen.  Longstreet  to  support  Gen^  Armistead  on  his 
right.  Barkcsdale's  brigade  being  already  to  his  right  and  roar, 
I  ordered  Cobb's  to  his  immediate  support,  preceded  by  the  l(3th 
Georgia  regiment,- armed  Avith  Enfield  rifles,  which  he  ])laced 
still  further  to  his  right  flank,  as  skirmishers  to  protect  it,  whilst 
the  infantry  of  Cobb's  Legion  was  posted  to  protect  the  artillery. 

The  enemy  had  for  some  time  previous  opened  a  heavy  can- 
nonade on  the  positions  occupied  by  my  troops,' from  the  eff"ect3 
of  which  a  caisson  exploded,  and  Ave  were  in  danger  of  losing  our 
men.  "Having  proceeded  to  the  front  in  advance  of  Cobb's  Bri- 
gade, I  reconnoitered  the  enemy's  position,  in  company  with 
Lieut.  Phillips  and  Col.  Edmunds,  sent  by  General  Armistead. 
From  two  points  in  the  open  field  the  enemy  could  be  well  seen. 
I  found  a  part  of  Gen.  Armistead's  Brigade  lying  in  order  of 
battle,  under  the  brow  of  a  hill  covered  by  Avood,  through  Avhich 
a  road  passed  parallel  to  the  edge  of  the  field  occupied  by  the 
enemy.  The  Avood,  through  which  my  troops  had  to  pass  to 
reach  this  road,  Avas  very  dense,  and  the  ground  very  diflicult. 
I  immediately  selected  this  road  as  the  best  position  to  form 
troops,  designed  to  operate,  against  the  enemy,  Avhilst  the  hill  and 
"wood  in  front  aff'orded  a  strong  position  for  a  permanent  line  of 
battle.  In  this  reconnoissance  I  found  the  enemy  to  be  strongly 
posted  on  the  crest  of  a  hill,  commanding  an  undulating  field 
between  us,  Avhich  fell  off  to  our  right  into  a  plain  or  meadow,  a 
portion  of  the  latter  bordering  on  the  Quaker  road,  from  Avhich 
I  had  Just  returned. 

The  enemy  having  reached  these  heights,  and  placed  himself 
in  communication  Avith  his  gun-boats  on  the  river,  I  was  satisfied 
from  the  position  of  liis  lines,  and  from  the  cheering  Avhich  h^d 
taken  place  when  his  troops  were  thus  re-assembled,  that  the 
whole  army  of  McCleyan  was  m  our  front.  His  batteries  of 
artillery  were  numerous,  and  were  Qollccted  into  (2)  tAvo  large 
bodies,  strongly  supported  by  infantry,  and  commanded  perfectly 


26 

the  meadow  on  the  right  and  the  field  in  our  front,  except  the 
open  ravines  formed  by  the  undulations  of,  the  ground.  Beyond 
the  hill  to  the  rear  of  that  occupied  by  the  enemy,  since  known 
as  "Malvern  Hill,"  firing  had  taken  place  in  the  morning  from 
a*  battery  posted  in  that  direction,  which  also  commanded  the 
meadow  or  a  considerable  portion  of  it. 

The  field  in  which  the  batteries  nearest  to  us  vfore  placed  is 
called  "Crew's  Farm;"  and  the  best  line  of  approach  to  these 
batteries  seemed  to  be  to  the  right  and  front,  under  the  cover  of 
the  hills  formed  by  the  falling  off  of  this  field  into  the  meadow. 

Gen.  Armistead  having  informed  me  that  Gen.  Longstreet 
■would  send  him  two  batteries,  I  deemed  such  an  artillery  force 
inadequate,  and  soon  after  ordered  Lieut.  Col.  S.  D.  Lee,  chief 
of  artillery,  to  bring  up  from  all  the.  batteries  thirty  rifle  pieces, 
if  possible.  With  these  I  hoped  to  shatter  the  enemy's  infantry. 
But,  as  they  did  not  arrive,  the  interval  was,  perhaps,  too  brief 
before  I  was  ordered  to  make  the  attack.  Returning  rapidly  to 
the  position  occupied  by  the  remainder  of  my  troops,  I  gave 
Brig.  Gen.  Jones  the  necessary  orders  for  the  advance  of  his 
division,  composed  of  Anderson's  and  Toombs'  Brigades,  one  of 
■which  (Anderson's)  had  already  occupied  the  position  lately  held 
by  Cobb.  Whilst  this  was  being  done,  a  heavy  and  crushing  fire 
■was  opened  from  the  enemy's  guns  of  great  range  and  metal. 

About  this  time,  I  received  an  order  from  Col.  Chilton,  stating 
that  an  order  had  been  given  to  Gen.  Argiistead,  when  his  artil- 
lery fire  had  broken  the  enemy's  lines,  as  it  probably  would  do, 
to  "charge  with  a  yell,"  and  directing  me  to  do  the  same.  (See 
Appendix  No.  5.)  I  again  gave  orders  to  hasten  the  movements 
of  the  troops,  and  superintended  them  in  person  as  far  as  it  was 
possible.     The  enemy's  fire  by  this  time  became  intense. 

I  then  received  an  order  from  Gen.  Lee,  through  Capt.  Dick- 
inson, Assistant  Adjutant-General,  "  to  advance  rapidly,  press 
forward  my  whole  line,  and  follow  up  Armistead's  successes,  as 
the  enemy  were  reported  to  be  getting  oif,'.'  (Gen.  Armistead 
having  repulsed,  driven  back,  and  followed  up  a  heavy  body 
0^  the  enemy's  skirmishers.)  (See  Appendix,  marked  No.  6.) 
Capt.  Dickinson  informed  me  by  note  at  the  same  time  that 
Mahone's  and  Ransom's  Brigades,  of  lager's  Division,  would 
be  ordered  up  immediately.  Having  completed  the  necessary 
arrangements  for  my  three  divisions,  and  not  feeling  myself  at 


27 

liberty  to  hesitate  under  the  stringency  of  my  instructions,  I 
galloped  to  the  front,  and,  at  the  request  of  Gen.  Wright,  again 
reconnoitered  the  enemy,  in  company  with  himself  and  Gen. " 
Armistead,  from  the  meadow  on  the  right,  and  the  hill  in  front, 
and  arranged  with  them  a  simultaneous  attack  from  that  portion 
of  the  line  under  my  command. 

Soon  after  Mahone's  Brigade  having  arrived,  and  the  hour 
growing  late,  I  gave  the  order  that  Wright's  Brigade,  supported 
by  Mahone's,  should  advance  and  attack  the  enemy's  batteries  on 
the  right.  That  Jones'  Division,  expeoted  momentarily,  should 
advance  on  the  front,  and  Ransom's  Brigade  should  attack  on  the 
left.  My  plan  being  to  hurl  about  fifteen  thousand  men  against 
the  eiijemy's  batteries,  and  supporting  infantry — to  follow  up  any 
successes  they  might  obtain  ;  and  if  unable  to  drive  the  enemy 
from  his  strong  position,  to  continue  the  fight  in  front  by  pouring 
in  fresh  troops ;  and  in  case  they  were  repulsed,  toxoid  strongly 
the  line  of  battle  where  I  stood,  to  prevent  serious  disaster  to  our 
own  arms.  This  plan  Avas  substantially  carried  out,  producing 
the  favorable  results  which  followed. 

Proceeding  to  execute  it,  I  sent  my  principal  Adjutant-Gene- 
ral, Major  Henry  Bryan,  to  put  in  motion  the  brigade  of  Gen. 
Wright.  This  was  about  half  past  5  o'clock,  P.  M.  Having 
given  Maj.  Bryan  amp^p  time  to  execute  this  order,  and  finding 
Jones'  Division  not  yet  up,  owing  to  the  extreme  difficulty  of 
the  ground  over  which  he  had  to  pass,  and  having  sent  off  all 
my  staff  officers  on  urgent. errands,  I  proceeded  to  address  a  few 
■words  to  Mahone's  Brigade,  and  ordered  it  forward.  Returning 
rapidly  to  the  centre,  I  directed  Gen.  Armistead  to  advance  Avith 
the  remainder  of  his  brigade.  Being  informed  by  him  that  his 
best  troops  were  already  in  front,  those  on  hand  being  raw,  I 
directed  the  three  regiments  of  Cobb's  Brigade,  then  on  the  spot, 
instead  of  Arraistead's  force,  to  advance  in  line  and  attack  the 
enemy  in  front,  and  they  moved  forward  accordingly  without 
delay. 

At  this  moment  I  sent  an  order  to  Gen.  Ransom,  on  my  left, 
to  advance,  and  I  proceeded  in  person  to  Col.  Barke^dale's  Bri- 
gade of  my  own  division — sifperintended  its  formation,  and 
directed  him  to  advance  to  the  support  of  the  troops,  who  had 
already  preceded  him  on  the  riglit.    Here  the  fire  of  the  enemy's 


28 

grape,  schrapnel  apd  round  shot  was  terrific,  stripping  the  limbs 
from  trees,'  and  ploughing  up  the  ground  under  our  feet. 

This  gallant  brigade,  not  quailing  for  an  instant,  advanced 
steadily  into  the  fight.  On  my  return  to  the  position  I  had 
selected,  and  to  which  I  directed  my  staif  officers  to  report,  I 
learned  by  note  from  Gen.  Ransom,  that  neither  he  nor  Gen. 
Huger  knew  where  the  battery  was,  and  that  all  orders  coming 
to  him  must  come  through  Gen.  Huger.     (See  Appendix,  No.  7.) 

I  sent  several  staff  officers,  successively,  urging  him  to  advance 
to  the  front,  and  attack  on  the  left,  and  in  support  of  those,  who 
by  this  time  Avere  hotly  engaged,  but  this  gallant  officer  felt  him- 
self constrained  to  obey  his  instructions,  and  withheld  the  de- 
sired support.  He,  nevertheless,  afterwards  sent  me  one  regi- 
ment, which  was  ordered  into'  action  on  the  left  of  those  already 

The  fire  ofimusketry  and  artillery  now  raged  with  terrific  fury. 
The  battle-field  was  enveloped  in  smoke,  relieved  only  by  flashes 
from  the  lines  of  the  contending  troops.  Round  shot  and  grape 
crashed  through  the  woods,  and  shells  of  enormous  size,  which 
reached  far  beyond  the  "headquarters"  of  our  gallant  Com- 
mander-in-Chief, burst  amidst  the  artillery,  parked  in  the  rear. 
Belnjian  missives  and  Minie  balls  lent  their  aid  to  this  scene  of 
surpassing  grandeur  and  sublimity.  Amidst  all,  our  gallant 
troops  in  front  pressed  on  to  victory,  now  cheered  by  the  rapid 
fire  of  friends  on  their  left,  as  they  had  been  encouraged  in  their 
advance  by  the  gallant  brigades  on  the  right,  commanded  by 
Gens.  Wright  and  Mahone.  Nevertheless,  the  enemy  from  his 
strong  position  and  great  numbers,  resisted  stoutly  the  onset  of 
our  heroic  bands,  and  bringing  into  action  his  heavy  reserves, 
some  of  our  men  were  compelled  to  fall  back.  They  were 
easily  rallied,  however,  and  led  again  with  fury  to  the  attack. 
The  noble,  accomplished  and  gallant  Harrison,  Commander  of 
the  "  Charles  City  Troop,"  uniting  his  exertions  with  my  own, 
rallied  regiment  after  regiment,  and  leading  one  of  them  to  the 
front,  fell,  pierced  with  seven  wounds,  near  the  enemy's  batteries. 

Holding  the  strong  position  of  the  wood  and  ravine  -with  one 
regiment  of  Armistead's  Brigade,  I  ordered  the  remainder  of 
his  Brigade  to  the  support  of  those  in  front,  and  about  this 
time  that  skillful  and  devoted  officer,  General  Ransom,  led  his 


29 
• 
brigade  forward,  having  obtained  the  requisite  authority,  and 
gave  further  support  to.  the  left  of  our  line,  whilst  Gen.  Jones 
having  overcome  the  great  difficulties  of  the  ground,  over  which 
lie  had  to.  pass,  gallantly  supported  the  troops  on  our  right  with 
Col.  Anderson's  Brigade,  of  his  division,  the  other  Gen.  Toombs' 
Brigade  having  obliqued  to  the  left,  where  it  was  formed  in  the 
road,  and  lent  its  supp6rt  to  some  of  the  rcsers'e  troops  "which 
were  brought  into  action. 

Towards  the  close  of  the  action  I  received  another  order  from 
Colonel  Chilton  to  "press  the  enemy  on  my  right,"  stating  that 
General  McLaws'  Division  "had  gone  in  fresh."  (See  Appendix 
No.  8.)  That  division  not  having  reached  the  wood  .bordering 
on  the  open  field  in  advance,  I  dispatched  IMajor  IlYllcsted  of 
the  Zouave  Battalion,  acting  temporarily  on  my  staff,  to  hasten  it 
forward,  and  bring  up  two  batteries  of  artillery,  which  I  desired 
to  have  on  hand  for  anything  that  might  occur.  Not  being  able 
to  find  the  commander  of  the  division,  General  McLaws,  and  it 
being  near  dusk,  Major  Ilyllested  gave  the  orders  directly  to  the 
commanders  of  brigades.  These  brigades  Avere  in  line  of  battle 
at  Mrs.  Carter's  .house  with  an  interval  of  about  one  hundred 
yards  between  them,  for  the  passage  of  artillery!  These  com- 
manders, Kershaw  and  Semmes,  with  the  gallantry  and  prompt- 
ness which  have  characterized  them  on  every  occasion,  advandid 
with  their  brigades  at  once.  General  Semmes'  to* the  right,  and 
General  Kershaw's  to  the  left,  increasing  their  interval  as  they 
passed'  through  the  dense  wood,  which  intervened  between  them 
and  the  enemy's  position,  and  going  into  action  on  the  right  and 
left  of  the  position  occupied  by  myself.  Their  engagement  with 
the  enemy  was  not  known  to  me  until  half-past  eight  o'clock,  at 
which  time  Major  Ilyllested,  who  had  gone  still  further  to  the 
rear  for  the  artillery,  reported  to  me  their  advance  to  the  fronti 
These  gallant  leaders  engaged  the  enemy  with  vigor  and  devo- 
tion, and  though  the  batteries  were  not  carried,  contributed  much 
to  the  rout,  panic  and  demoralization  which  marked  the  enemy's 
escape  from  the  battle-field  at  an  early  hour  of  the  night. 

Previous  to  the  arrival  of  Gen.  McLaws'  Division,  I  had  sent 
for  reinforcements,  having  determined  to  retain  the  ground  we 
had  gained  in  front,  if  possible,  and  to  hold  the  strong  position  of 
the  wood  and  ravine  at  all  hazards,  to  guard  against  any  reverse. 
Troops  were  sent  me  from  General  A.  P.  Hill's  command,  and 


80 

two  brigades  kept  at  hand,  to  be  used  in  case  of  necessity.  I 
regret  tliat  I  have  been  unable  as  yet  J;o  procure  the  reports  of 
their  commanders. 

Darkness  had  now  set  in,  and  I  thought  of  withdrawing  the 
troops,  but  as  we  had  gained  many  advantages,  I  concluded  to  \bt 
the  battle  subside,  and  to  occupy  the  field,  which  was  done  to 
within  one  hundred  yards  of  the  enemy's  guns.  Pickets  were  ac- 
cordingly established  by  Brigadier-tjenerals  Mahone  and  Wright, 
whose  brigades  slept  on  the  battle-field  in  the  advanced  positions 
they  had  won.  Armistead's  Brigade,  and  a  portion  of  Ransom's, 
also  occupied  the  battle-field. 

The  en^pmy  retreated  precipitately,  during  the  night,  from  this 
strong  place,  which  he  intended  to  occupy,  and  which  he  had  com- 
menced to  fortify,  having  reached  his  gun-boats,  the  latter  taking 
part  in  the  battle.  He  left,  on  the  battle-field,  his  dead  and 
wounded;  spiked  and'abandoned  two  pieces  of  artillery;  leaving 
caissons,  ambulances,  wagons,  and  large  quantities  of  medical, 
commissary,  and  ordnance  stores,  in  our  hands.  He  threw  into 
the  ravines  a  large  amount  of  ammunition,  and  strewed  the  roads 
with  thousands  of  muskets,  cartridge  boxes,,  &c.,  in  his  flight 
down  the  river.  (See  Appendix,  No.  9.)  He  was  forced  to  retire 
a  greater  distance  from  Ricbmond,  and  to  relinquish  a  healthy 
and  commanding  position,  which  he  has  since  attempted  in  vain 
to  retake. 

Notwithstanding  the  strength  of  the  enemy's  position,  his ' 
great  numerical  superiority,  and  the  difficulty  of  reaching  him, 
our  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  will  compare  favorably,  in  propor- 
tion to  the  number  engaged,  with  that  sustained  in  most  of  the 
previous-  engagements  near  Richmond.  It  will  not  exceed,-  I 
think,  ('2,900)  twenty-nine  hundred  killed  and  wounded,  out  of 
a  force  of  twenty-six  or  twenty-^ight  thousand  under  my  orders, 
engaged  and  under  fire;  whilst  the  loss  of  the  enemy  I  estimated 
at  between  six  and  seven  thousand  from  the  fire  of  my  troops 
alone.  There  was  no  infantry  attack  by  Gen.  Holmes  on  my 
right,  as  far  as  I  can  learn.  The  reports  of  the  ofiicers  com- 
manding on  my  left  will,  doubtless,  make  known  their  operations. 

The  officers  and  men  under  my  command  fought  generally  with 
the  greatest  heroism  and  devotion,  and,  though  some  confusion 
arose  from  the  great  distance  which  bad  to  be  traversed,  the  nar- 
rowness of  the  field,  and  the  extreme  severity  of  the  enemy's 


31 

fire,  there  were  no  evldcnceg  of  panic,  and  the  men  vrere  easily 
rallied  and  led  to  the  field.  My  command  of  three  divisions, 
being  separated  from  the  wagons,  had  been  almost  constantly 
marching,  from  Sunday  morning  until  Tuesday  evening,  without 
tents,  sleep,  and  without  food ;  it  being  deemed  by  me  imprudent 
to  block  up  a  narrow  road  with  a  wagon  train.  They  were  or- 
dered after  the  battle'was  over,  by  their  respective  commanders, 
to  the  positions  from  which  they  went  into  action,  to  (>l)taiu  sup- 
plies of  food  and  water. 

The  officers  and  men  composing  Jones'  Division  deserve  special 
commendation  for  the  faithful  and  fearless  manner  in  which  they 
performed  their  perilous  duties  at  the  stations  known  as  Garnett's 
and  Price's  farnis,  and  for  their  impetuous  gallantry  as  displayed 
in  the  actions  of  the  twenty-seventh  and  twenty-eighth  of  Juno 
opposite  Goulding's  farm.  In  the  brigade  commanded  by.  the 
gallant  Gen.  Semmes,  Cols.  August  and  Gumming,  15th  Virginia 
and  lOth  Georgia  regiments,  and  Lieut.  Co].  Waggaman,  of  the 
10th  Louisiana,  were  particularly  distinguished — the  two.  former 
•bcirtg  wounded  and  the  last  taken  prisoner.  In  reference  to  other 
highly  meritorious  officers  of  the  line,  I  beg  leave  to  refer  to  the 
enclosed  paper,  marked  No.  12,  (see  Appendix,  No. -12,)  contain- 
ing the  names  of  those  who  are  specially  noticed  in  the  reports 
of  the  division,  brigade  and  regimental  commanders. 

I  cannot  speak  too  highly  of  the  conduct  of  theofficers  and 
men  of  the  brigades  attacking  in  front ;  Brig.  Gen.  Mahone, 
commanding  the  2d  brigade  Virginia  volunteers  ;  Gen.  AVright^ 
8d  brigade  —  both  of  Iluger's  E)ivision.  Colonel  Barkesdalc, 
commanding  3d  Mississippi  Brigade,  of  Magruder's  Division ; 
Col.  Norwood,  2d  Louisiana  regiment,  mortally  wounded,  com- 
manding three  regiments,  Cobb's  Brigade,  Magruder's  Division. 
Major  Ashton,  Of  the  same  regiment,  who  fdll  heroically  bear- 
ing the  colors  of  his  regiment  to  the  front;  Col.  Dowd,  15th 
North  Carolina  ;  Col.  Goode  Bryan,  16th  Georgia,  Cobb's  Le- 
gion, who  had  been  relieved  from  picket  duty,  and  led  his  regi- 
ment gallantly  into  the  thickest  t)f  the  fight,  with  the  coolness 
and  ability  which  characterize  the  well  trained  soldier.*  Colonels 
Iloldon  and  Griffin  and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Brandon,  of  the  3d 
Mississippi  Brigade,  who  were  all  severely  wounded  whilst  gal- 
lantly leading  their  regiments  into  action;  also  Lieut.  Col.  Carter, 
liith  Mississippi,  who  was  borne  from  the  field  wounded;  and 


32 

Lieut.  Col.  Fiser,  Lieut.  Col.  Luse,  Major  McElroj  and  Capt. 
Brooks,  on  whom  the  regimental  commands  devolved,  all  dis- 
charged their  duties  "with  signal  ability.  Cnpt.  Inge,  assistant 
adjutant-general  of  this  brigade,  distinguished  in  every  path 
"where  duty  leads  to  peril,  was  most  conspicuous  on  the  field, 
where  he  won  for  himself  the  united  commendation  of  the  bri- 
gade and  regimental  commanders,  to  whose  testimony  I  can  add 
my  own  from  personal  observation.  Col.  Hodges  and  Lieut.  Col. 
Evans,  of  the  11th  Virginia;  Col.  Edmunds  and  Major  Cabell, 
38th  Virginia;  and  Col.  Tomlin,  of  the  32d  Virginia — all  de- 
served the  commendation  of  their  brigade  conimanders  and  my 
own. 

Brifj.  Gen.  Armistead  held  the  line  of  battle  in  the  wood 
•which  skirted  the  field,  and  after  bringing  on  the  action  in  the 
most  gallant  manner,  by  repulsing  an  attack  of  a  heavy  body  of 
the  enemy's  skirmishers,  skillfully  Icat  support  to  the  contending 
troops  in  front,  when  it  was  required. 

Brig.  Gen.  Cobb,  whose  brigade  was  posted  at  three  different 
stations,  occupied  a  central  position  near  Gen.  Armistead,- and 
"rendered  gallant  and  useful  service,  not  only  by  the  promptness 
and  skill  with  which  he  came  forward,  and  placed  his  troops  in 
the  front  in  support  of  Gen.  Armistead,  but  by  the  devotion  with 
which  he  rallied,  under  an  extremely  heavy  fire,  bodies  of  troops 
which  had  suffered  severely  from  the  enemy. 

Brig.  Gen.  Jones,  wilh  his  admliable  Division  of  gallant 
Georgians,  the  brigades  commanded  by  Gen.  Toombs  and  Col. 
Anderson,  lent  efficient  support  to  the  troops  in  front,  enabling 
them  to  maintain  their  ground. 

I  regret  to  lose  the  services  of  my  gallant  and  efficient  assist- 
ant adjutant-general,  Maj.  Henry  Bryan,  who  was  twice  severely 
wounded  whilst  accompanying  Cobb's  Brigade  to  the  attack  on 
the  batteries.  My  thanks  are  especially  due  to  my  aids-de-camp, 
Lieuts.  Alston  and  Eustis ;  Lieut.  Col.  Gary,  inspector-general ; 
.Maj.  Bloomfield,  chief  quartermaster  ;  Maj.  Brent,  chief  of  ord- 
nance; Major  Ilyllested,  of  the  Zouave  Battalion,  acting  aid-de- 
camp ;  Capt.  Dickinson,  assistant  adjutant-general ;  Lieut.  Phil- 
lips, of  the  Confederate  cavalry ;  Mr.  H.  M.  Stanard,  A.  A.  D. 
C,  and  Mr.  J.  Randolph  Bryan,  A.  A.  D.  ^C,  for  distinguished 
and  gallant  services  on  the  field.  Major  A.  B.  Magruder  dis- 
charged all  his  duties  to  my  entire  satisfaction.     I  am  also  in- 


33 

debte'd  to  Capt.  Covrard,  of  Gen.  Jones'  staff,  for  gallant  and 
valuable  services.  Capt.  Norris,  of  the  signal  corps,  Mr.  D.  F. 
Brasbear  and  Mr.  A.  C.  Dickinson  carried  my  orders  on  the  field, 
and  rendered  good  service.  The  brave  and  devoted  troopers  of 
the  Charles  City  Cavalry  were  on  this,  as  on  all  other  occasions, 
distinguished  for  the  promptness,  intrepidity  and  intelligence  "with 
which  they  dicharged  their  important  duties.  To  their  chivalric 
and  enterprising  Lieut.  Hill  Carter,  jr.,  I  owe  a  public  acknow- 
ledgment of  the  great  services  he  has  rendered  the  country,  on 
every  occasion  which  presented  itself  within  the  last  fifteen 
months. 

I  beg  leave  to  bear  testimony  to  the  gallantry,  skill  and  ability 
of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Stephen  D.  Lee,  my  chief  of  artillery. 

It  is  proper  to  add,  that  though  the  general  orders  of  battle, 
directing  the  week's  operations,  required  the  chief  engineer. 
Major  Stevens,  to  assign  engineer  officers  to  each  division,  whose 
duty  it  should  be  "to  make  provision  for  overcoming  all  difficulties 
to  the  progress  of  the  troops,"  no  engineer  officer  was  sent  to  me. 
Lieut.  Douglas  of  the  Engineers  had  been  attached  to  my  StaflF, 
but  was  relieved  from  that  position ;  and  although  I  had  applied 
for  his  services  to  the  head-quarters  of  the  army  more  than  once, 
I  could  not  obtain  them,  nor  was  any  other  sent  in  his  place. 

As  to  the  time  when  the  attack  on  the  enemy's  batteries  in 
front  was  made,  Brigadier-General  Armistead,  whose  advanced 
troops  led  in  the  attack  from  the  centre,  states  in  his  report  that 
in  the  charge  the  brigades  of  Mahone  and  Wright  came  up  imme- 
diately on  his  right,  Cobb's  Brigade  closely  following  his  advance. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir, 
Very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

(Signed)  J.  BANKIIEAD  MAGRUDER, 

Major-General. 


M 


The  above  report  is  published  by  permission  of  the  War  De- 
partment, in  advance  of  the  report  of  General  Lee,  through 
vrhom,  however,  it  was  submitted.  This  course  was  rendered 
desirable  to  meet  strictures  which  had  been  made,  by  an  ofi&cer 
of  inferior  rank,  on  my  military  operations  near  Richmond.  It 
is  therefore  elaborate  and  necessarily  minute  in  detail. 

It  will  be  seen  by  this  report  and  the  documents  in  support  of 
it :  First,  That  my  attack  on  the  enemy  at  Malvern  Hill  was 
made  after  repeated  orders  from  my  superiors,  and  that  it  could 
have  been  made  by  me  in  no  other  way,  having  officers  of  superior 
rank  to  me  both  on  my  left  and  right — Jackson  and  Holmes ; 
Secondly,  That  the  forces  engaged  on  our  side  were  inferior  in 
number  to  those  of  the  enemy,  who  had  massed  his  whole  army ; 
that  nevertheless  the  enemy  was  routed,  leaving  his  dead  and 
wounded  on  the  ground,  and  throwing  away  his  arms  in  large 
quantities,  with  every  evidence  of  great  panic,  our  troops  sleep- 
ing on  the  field  of  battle,  which  was  deserted  by  him  ;  and, 
Thirdly,  That  our  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  was  less  than 
twenty-nine  hundred  men,  less  in  proportion  than  that  sustained 
in  most  of  the  previous  battles. 

This  report  Gen.  Lee  has  forwarded  to  the  President,  with  his 
testimony  as  to  the  uniform  alacrity  with  which  I  discharged  the 
"  difficult  duty"  devolved  upon  me,  and  the  great  exertions  made 
by  me  in  its  performance.  Every  officer  and  every  soldier  en- 
gaged in  the  battles  of  "Savage  Station"  and  "Malvern  Hill" 
can  point  with  pride  to  the  results,  on  both  sides,  of  these  vic- 
tories, as  the  best  evidence  that  these  "great  exertions"  were 
crowned  with  triumphant  success. 

Before  the  battles  of  Richmond,  I  was  honored  with  offers, 
thrice  made  by  the  President,  of  independent  and  important 
commands  in  the  Southwest ;  but,  at  my  earnest  solicitation,  he 
was  pleased  to  permit  a  suspension  of  these  orders,  to  allow  me 
an  opportunity  to  bear  my  part  in  the  defence  of  the  capital  of 
my  native  State  and  of  the  Confederacy,  then  sorely  beleaguered. 
The  enemy  having  been  routed,  and  the  capital  saved,  I  was 
proceeding  to  my  station  under  orders,  when  my  presence  was 


35 

deemed  necessary  in  Richmond  for  explanations  in  justice  to 
myself.  They  having  been  made  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  War 
Department,  as  well  as  of  General  Lee,  I  proceed  immediately 
to  the  command  in  the  Southwest,  to  which  the  President  has 
assigned  me,  reserving  to  myself  the  right,  as  well  as  satisftic- 
tion,  of  attending,  at  a  more  appropriate  time,  to  matters  purely 
personal. 

J.  BANKHEAD  MAGRUDER, 

Major-General. 


APPENDIX. 


No.  1. 

Headquarters,  \st  Division, 
June  28tb,  18G2. 

Maj.  Gen.  Magruder: 

Sir, — My  line  is  formed  to  the  left  and  somewhat  to  the  front  of 
Gen.  Cobb. 

The  enemy  seem  to  be  in  larsre  force  in  front  of  my  right,  and  arc,  or 
have  moved  a  little  to  their  right.  I  do  not  think  it  prudent  for  me  to 
attack  him  with  my  small  force,  unless  there  be  a  simultaneous  attack 
all  along  our  lines.     I  will  keep  a  good  look  out  on  my  left. 

I  had  hoped  that  Jackson  would  have  co-operated  witli  me  on  my  left, 
but  he  sends  mc  word  that  he  cannot,  as  he  has  other  important  duty  to 
perform. 

Respectfully,  &c., 
(Signed)  D.  R.  JONES, 


OJicial  copi/ : 

A.  G.  Dickinson,  A.  A.  General. 


Brig.  General. 


No.  2. 

HeadquarterSf  Department  Korthcrn  Va. 
Maj.  Gen.  Magruder  : 

I  have  joined  Gen.  Longstrcet,  at  the  inter^oction  of  the  "New 
Market,  Charles  City  and  Quaker  roads,"  and  wish  to  know  how  far  you 
have  progressed  en  route  to  this  point. 

I  am,  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

(Signed)  R.  E.  LEE,  General. 

Official  copy : 

A.  G.  Dickinson,  A.  A.  General. 


No.  3. 

General : 

I  sent  my  aid  and  a  guide  some  time  ago  to  take  you  by  the  nearest 

route  to  New  Market  road,  and  by  going  down  that  road  to  join  Gen. 

Holmes  in  front  of  that.     Please  hurry  as  much  as  possible.     General 

Holmes  has  been  expecting  you  a  long  time,  and  is  in  much  need  of  you. 

Most  respectfully, 

(Signed)  J.  LONGSTREET, 

Major  General. 
Maj.  Gen.  Magruder,  Commanding. 

If  you  cannot  get  your  artillery,  leave  it,  and  send  to  me  from  New 
Market  for  such  as  you  want.  If  you  have  not  the  guide,  move  the 
troops  by  Gen.  A.  P.  Hill's,  and  take  the  right  hand  after  getting 
into  this. 


No.  4. 

Testimony  of  S.  B.   Siceeney. 

I  am  an  enlisted  man — member  of  Henrico  Southern  Guards — was  a 
citizen  of  Henrico  county — am  twenty-three  years  of  age — was  born 
and  raised,  and  was,  at  the  time  of  entering  the  service,  living  at  Swee- 
ney's Tavern,  about  thirteen  miles  from  Richmond,  and  in  the  vicinity 
of  Malvern  Hills,  and  near  the  Quaker  Toad — know  the  country  inti- 
mately— having  frequently  hunted  over  every  foot  of  ground  in  that 
vicinity. 

I  testify  that  when  ordered  to  conduct  Major  General  Magruder  into 
the  Quaker  road,  on  the  morning  of  1st  of  July,  18G2,  I  did  so  con- 
duct his  forces,  leading  him  into  what  I  had  always,  and  do  still  believe 
to  be  the  Quaker  road — being  a  road  about  two  miles  in  length,  leaving 
the  Long  Bridge  road  to  the  right,  about  three  hundred  yards  above 
Mr.  Nathan  Enroughty's  gate,  and  entering  the  Charles  City  river  road 
at  Tilghman's  gate,  about  one-half  mile  below  Sweeny's  Tavern. 

I  further  testify,  that  the  road  into  which  I  conducted  Major-General 
Magrudcr's  forces,  on  the  morning  of  1st  July,  1862,  is  not  only  re- 
garded by  me  as  the  Quaker  road,  but  by  other  persons  raised  aad  living 
in  that  neighborhood;  and  is  the  only  road  known,  and  regarded 
as  such. 

I  furthermore  testify,  that  I  was  detailed  from  my  company  to  report 
as  a  guide  to  Major-General  Magruder. 

(Signed)  S.  B.  SWEENEY. 

Personally  appeared  before  me,  R.  H.  Nelson,  a  justice  of  the  peace 
for  Henrico  county,  S.  B.  Sweeney,  who  made  oath  that  the  above  certi- 
ficate, signed  by  him,  is  correct. 

Witness  my  hand  and  seal,  this  22d  day  of  July,  1862. 

(Signed)  R.  H.  NELSON,  J.  P. 

Official  copy : 

A.  G.  Dickinson,  A.  A.  General. 


39 

Testimony  of  L.   T.  Gatewood. 

I  am  an  enlisted  man — member  of  Henrico  Southern  Guards — was  a 
resident  of  Henrico  county — was  detailed  to  report  on  morning  of  1st 
July,  18G2,  as  a  guide  to  Major-Gcneral  Magrudor — did  so  report,  and 
was  with  him  on  that  morning. 

I  testify  that  when  on  the  point  of  starting  with  his  forces  for  tho 
Quaker  road,  with  S.  B.  Sweeney  as  a  guide,  Major-General  ^lagruder 
interrogated  me  as  to  the  position  of  the  Quaker  road,  I  told  him  that  it 
left  the  Long  Bridge  road  to  the  right,  just  above  Nathan  Knroughty's 
gate,  and  ran  diagonally  across  to  the  Ciiarles  City  river  road — and  that 
I  indicated  to  him  the  same  road,  as  that  along  which  he  was  afterwards 
conducted  by  S.  B.  Sweeney. 

I  further  testify,  that  I  do  now,  and  have  always  believed  the  road 
into  which  Major-General  IMagrudcr  was  conducted  to  be  the  Quaker 
road,  and  that  this  is  the  only  road  in  that  neighborhood  regarded 
as  such. 

(Signed)  L.  T.  GATEWOOD. 

Personally  appeared  before  me,  R.  H.  Nelson,  a  justice  of  the  peace 
for  Henrico  county,  Liston  T.  Gatewood,  who  made  oath  that  the  above 
certificate,  signed  by  him,  is  correct  and  true.  As  witness  m^  hand  and 
seal,  this  22d  day  of  July,  18G2.  ^ 

(Signed)  R.  H.  NELSON,  J.  P. 

Official  copy : 

A.  G.  Dickinson,  A.  A.  General. 

Testimony  of  Charles    WafJcins. 

I  was  a  resident  of  Henrico  county — living  near  the  Quaker  road — 
am  an  enlisted  man — member  of  Henrico  Southern  Guards,  loth  Vir- 
ginia Regiment — was  detailed  from  my  company  to  report  on  the  morn- 
ing of  1st  July,  18G2,  to  Major-General  Magruder,  as  a  guide — did  so 
report,  and  was  with  him  on  that  morning.  I  know  the  country  in  the 
vicinity  of  Malvern  Hill  intimately — was  present  when  Major-General 
Magruder  interrogated  L.  T.  Gatewood  in  regard  to  the  locality  of  the 
Quaker  road,  heard  L.  T.  Gatewood  reply,  and  knowing  it  to  be 
correct,  made  no  remark. 

I  further  testify,  that  I  do  now,  and  have  always  believed  the  road 
into  which  Major-General  Magruder  was  conducted  by^.  B.  Sweeney  to 
be  the  Quaker  road,  and  that  this  is  the  only  road  regarded  as  tho 
Quaker  road  by  persons  living  in  that  ncighborhoad. 

(Signed)  C.  WATKINS. 

Personally  appeared  before  me,  R.  H.  Nelson,  a  justice  of  the  pcaco 
for  Henrico  county,  C  Watkins,  who  made  oath  that  the  above  certifi- 
cate, to  which  his  name  is  affixed,  is  correct  and  true. 

"Witness  my  hand  and  seal,  this  23d  day  of  July,  18G2. 

(Signed)  B.  n.  NELSON,  J.  P. 

Official  copy : 

A.  G.  Dickinson,  A.  A.  General. 


40 
Testimony  of  Mr.  J.  W.  Binford. 

I  was  until  recently,  and  have  been  for  thirty  years,  a  resident  of 
Henrico  county — living  very  near  Malvern  Hills — have  always  known 
S.  B.  Sweeney.  I  testify  that  he  was  raised  at  Sweeney's  Tavern, 
about  thirteen  miles  below  Richmond,  on  the  Charles  City  river  road — 
is  a  reliable  young  man — and  that  he  is  thoroughly  acquainted  with  the 
eurroundiug  country  in  the  vicinity  of  that  place,  and  through  which, 
the  Quaker  road  passes. 

I  further  testify,  that  in  my  belief  he  is  the  best  guide  that  could 
have  been  procured,  and  that  the  road  on  which  Mr.  Sweeney  says  he 
conducted  Major-General  Magruder  on  the  morning  of  the  1st  July, 
1862,  is  universally  regarded  by  the  oldest  inhabitants  to  be  the  Quaker 
road,  and  that  this  is  the  only  road  regarded  as  such  in  that  region. 
That  the  said  road  having  been  of  late  little  used,  has  become  obscure, 
and  is  not  generally  used  as  a  public  road.  That  the  road  laid  down  on 
the  county  map  is  not  the  true  Quaker  road,  but  is  another  and  diiferent 
road,  and  known  as  the  Willis'  road. 

(Signed)  JAS.  W.  BINFORD. 

Personally  appeared  before  me,  R.  H.  Nelson,  a  justice  of  the  peace 
for  Henricoi  county,  James  W.  Binford,  who  made  oath  that  the  above 
certificate,  to  which  his  name  is  affixed,  is  correct  and  true. 

Witness  my  hand  and  seal  this  24th  day  of  July,  1862. 

(Signed)  R.  H.  NELSON,  J.  P. 

Official  copy : 

A.  Gr.  Dickinson,  A.  A.  General. 


No.  5. 

July  1st,  1862. 
Gen.  Magruder  : 

Batteries  have  been  established  to  rake  the  enemy's  lines.     If  it  is 
broken,  as  is  probable,  Arraistead,  who  can  witness  effect  of  the  fire,  has 
been  ordered  to  charge  with  a  yell.     Do  the  same. 
By  order  Gen.  Lee. 
(Signed)  R.  H.  CHILTON,  A.  A.  G. 

Official  copy : 

A.  G.  Dickinson,  A.  A.  Gen. 


No.  6. 


Gen.  Lee  expects  you  to  advance  rapidly.     He  says  it  is  reported  the 
enemy  is  getting  off.     Press  forward  your  whole  line,  and  follow  up 


41 

Armistead's  successes.     I  will  have  Malione's  Brigade  in  the  place  just 
occupied  by  Col.  Anderson.     Ransom's  Brigade  Las  gone  on  to  reinforce 
Cobb.     Mr.  Logan  delivered  you  my  message,  I  presume. 
Yours,  respectfully, 

A.  G.  DICKINSON,  Capt.  &o. 
"J.  copy." 


No.  7. 


Gen.  Maoruder: 

Pear  Sir, — Gen.  Iluger  is  present,  and  directed  me  to  say.  that 
neither  he  nor  I  know  whore  the  battery  on  our  left  is,  and  also  that 
any  order  to  officers  or  troops  in  his,  Gen.  linger' s,  command,  must  pass 
through  him. 

Respectfully, 
(Signed)  R.  RANSOM,  Brig.  Gen. 

5.45  P.  M.,  July  1st,  1862. 
Official  copy : 

A.  G.  Dickinson,  A.  A.  G. 


No.  8. 


July  1st,  1862. 

General, —  The  commanding  general  directs  that  you   press  the 
enemy's  right. 


McLaws  is  going  in  fresh. 

Official  co2')y  : 

A.  G.  Dickinson,  A.  A.  Gen. 


By  order  Gen.  Lee. 


No.  9. 


Camp  near  Rirlimond, 

July  28d,  1862. 

General, — I  take  pleasure  in  communicating  to  you  what  I  casually 
remarked  to  a  mutual  friend,  and  was  by  him  repeated  to  you.  Accom- 
panying Gen.  Stuart  with  my  cavalry  battalion  during  the  late  succcspiott 
of  battles  and  victories  around  Richmond,  it  was  my  fortune  to  be  close 
upon  the  heels  of  our  retreating  foe  after  more  than  one  engagement. 
After  the  battle  of  Tuesday,  1st,  if  was  remarked,  botli  by  my  nfficcrs 
and  myself,  that  there  were  greater  evidences  of  ronfu.-inn  and  mut  ia 
the  enemy's  retreat  than  wc  bad  previously  noticed — I  refer  to  the  large 


42 

number  of  arms  and  equipments  thrown  away  in  the  woods  and  fields  at 
some  distance  from  the  battle-field ;  the  number  of  wagons  and  ambu- 
lances abandoned  in  the  road;  the  quantity  of  ammunition  thrown 
away,  &c.  &c. 

In  confirmation  of  this  opinion,  an  intelligent  citizen  (Mr.  Haxall), 
living  near  Shirley,  at  whose  house  several  of  the  Federal  generals  had 
their  headquarters,  (Generals  Couch  and  Cook,  I  remember,)  informed 
me  that  the  Federal  ofiicers  never  acknowledged  that  they  were  defeated 
and  retreating  until  after  the  engagement  of  Tuesday,  and  that,  then, 
one  of  them  was  free  in  making  the  confession. 

It  is  proper  to  state,  that  the  cavalry  were  not  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
battle-field  of  Monday,  30th. 

I  have  great  aversion  to  appearing  in  the  newspapers,  and  still  greater 
to  subjecting  myself  even  to  the  imputation  of  drawing  invidious  com- 
parisons. I  trust  I  will  not  be  so  judged.  As  you  deem  the  facts  within 
my  knowledge  of  importance  to  you,  I  give  them  with  full  authority  to 
use  as  you  see  proper. 

Very  truly,  your  obedient  servant, 

THOS.  R.  R.  COBB, 

Col.  "  Ga.  Legion." 
Gen,  J.  Bankhead  Magruder,  Richmond. 


No.  10. 


(Copy.) 

Headquarters  Dept.  of  JSf.  Va. 

14th  August,  1862. 

Eon.  G.  "W.  Randolph,  Sec.  of  War,  Richmond,  Va.: 

Sir, — I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  the  report  of  Maj.  Gen.  Magruder 
»nd  the  officers  of  his  command  of  the  operations  in  the  late  engagements 
tround  Richmond.  At  the  request  of  Gen.  Magruder,  I  forward  the 
report  without  the  delay  which  would  necessarily  attend  its  accompany- 
ing my  own,  which,  for  the  want  of  the  reports  of  other  division  com- 
manders, I  am  unable  to  submit.  I  have  only  been  able  to  give  it  a 
cursory  examination,  and  to  append  such  remarks  as  were  suggested  in 
its  perusal. 

Gen.  Magruder  appears  to  have  greatly  exerted  himself  to  accomplish 
the  duty  devolved  on  him,  and  I  can  bear  testimony  to  the  uniform 
alacrity  he  displayed  in  its  execution.  He  had  many  difficulties  to  con- 
tend with,  I  know.  I  regretted  at  the  time,  and  still  regret,  that  they 
could  not  have  been  more  readily  overcome.  I  feel  assured,  however, 
that  Gen.  Magruder  intentionally  omitted  nothing  that  he  could  do  to 
ensure  success. 

I  am;  most  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

(Signed)  R.  E.  LEE,  Gen. 


43 


RcmarJis  on  tJie  report  of  Maj.   Gen.  J.  B.  Magrxuler  of  the  recent 
operations  of  his  command  near  Richmond. 

1.  Gen.  Magruder  is  under  a  misapprehension  as  to  the  separation  of 
the  troops  operating  on  the  north  side  of  the  Chickahominy  from  thoso 
under  himself  and  Gen.  Hut;cr  on  the  south  side.  He  refers  to  this 
subject  on  pages  2,  3,  4,  5,  (3  and  7  of  his  report. 

The  troops  on  the  two  sides  of  the  river  were  only  separated  until  W9 
succeeded  in  occupying  the  position  near  what  is  known  as  New  J>ridge, 
which  occurred  before  12  o'clock  M.,  on  Friday,  June  27th,  and  beforo 
the  attack  on  the  enemy  at  Gaines'  Mill.  From  the  time  we  reached 
the  position  referred  to,  I  regarded  communications  between  the  two 
wings  of  our  army  as  re-established.  The  bridge  referred  to  and  another 
about  three  quarters  of  a  mile  above  were  ordered  to  be  repaired  befora 
noon  on  Friday,  and  the  new  bridge  was  sufficiently  rebuilt  to  be  passed 
by  artillery  on  Friday  night,  and  the  one  above  it  was  used  for  the 
passage  of  wagons,  ambulances  and  troops  early  on  Saturday  morning. 
Besides  this,  all  other. bridges  above  New  Bridge  and  all  the  fords  abov« 
that  point  were  open  to  us. 

2.  Maj.  Gen.  lluger's  Division  was  ordered  to  move  on  Sunday  by 
the  Charles  City  road.  It  was  not  intended  or  directed  to  move  by  tho 
Williamsburg  road,  as  Gen.  Magruder  seems  to  have  understood  me  to 
say  on  Sunday,  2ftth  June.     (See  report,  p.  H.) 

3.  Gen.  Magruder  sent  a^ember  of  his  staff  to  me  on  Sunday,  when 
he  had  reached  Fair  Oaks,  and  requested  to  be  reinforced,  saying  that'' 
the  enemy  was  in  force  in  his  front  and  advancing  upon  him.  I  directed 
two  of  Gen.  Huger's  Brigades  to  be  diverted  from  the  Charles  City  road, 
by  which  they  were  then  advancing,  and  moved  to  the  Williamsburg 
road,  to  support  Gen.  Magruder.  They  were  subsequently  ordered  to 
return  to  their  original  line  of  march,  there  being  found  no  need  for 
them  on  the  Williamsburg  road.     (Sec  report,  p.  11.) 

4.  The  report  sent  to  Gen.  Magruder  by  Gen.  Jones,  that  Gen.  Jack- 
son had  informed  the  latter  that  he  could  not  co-operate  with  him,  hav- 
ing been  ordered  on  other  duty,  originated  in  some  mistake,  and  Gen. 
Magruder  was  advised  of  the  error  as  soon  as  it  came  to  my  knowledge. 
(See  p.  14.) 

5.  Gen.  Magruder  is  under  a  misapprehension  as  to  the  withdrawal  of 
any  part  of  the  force  with  which  he  was  to  operate.  (See  page  14.)  Tho 
misapprehension  arose  from  a  niisundcrstanding  before  referred  to  as  to 
the  road  by  which  Gen.  linger  was  to  march  on  Sunday,  June  20th,  and 
from  the  erroneous  report  with  regard  to  a  change  in  Gen.  Jackson'a 
movements  just  alluded  to. 

6.  Gen.  Magruder  was  ordered  to  relieve  the  tronps  under  Gen.  Long- 
street,  Monday  night,  June  30fh,  after  the  latter  had  been  operating  all 
day,  had  repul.«ed  the  enemy,  and  won  the  po.'-ition  contended  for.  l^lanj 
prisoners  had  already  been  brought  in — among  them  Gen.  I^Ic(^all — and 
the  battle  was  over.  No  enemy  was  known  to  be  in  position  that  night, 
and  our  troops  were  in  undisturbed  pospcpsion  of  the  battle-field.  Ono 
of  the  objects  of  bringing  up  Gen.  Magruder  was  to  have  fresh  troops 
to  di-scover  the  enemy.     (See  page  25  of  report.) 

7.  The  note  referred  to  by  Gen.  Magruder,  as  received  from  Col.  Chil- 


44 

.  ton,  directing  bira  to  press  the  enemy  on  his  right,  and  informing  him 
that  Gen.  McLaws'  Division  had  gone  in  fresh,  (see  page  39)  was  writ- 
ten after  Gen.  JMagruder  had  sent  to  me  for  reinforcements  bjli«'one  of  his 
staff.  I  was  with  Gen.  McLaws  at  the  time,  and,  on  receiving  the  appli- 
cation, ordered  Gen.  McLaws  to  advance  with  his  division.  Gen.  Ma- 
gruder  was  directed  to  press  the  enemy  on  his  right,  because  I  thought 
he  was  tending  too  much  to  the  left. 

(Signed)  R.  E.  LEE,  General. 

No.  11. 

Richmond,  Va.,  Sept,  5th,  1862. 

Statement  of  Gen.  Magruder  on  Gen.  Lee's  remarks  on  Gen.  3Iagru- 
der'a  report  of  his  operations  about  liichmond,  in  the  order  of  those 
remarks. 

Remark,  No.  1. — New  Bridge  was  finished  on  Friday  evening,  the 
27th,  instead  of  Saturday  evening,  the  28th  June.  I  wrote  from  memory 
in  reference  to  the  time  of  its  being  finished.  It  was  reported  to  me 
that  the  bridge,  three-quarters  of  a  mile  above,  was  attempted  to  be 
crossed  by  troops,  (I  think  Ransom's  Brigade,)  on  Saturday  morning, 
from  the  south  to  the  north  side ;  but  that  finding  the  bridge,  on  the 
approach  to  it,  difiicult,  they  came  down  and  crossed  at  New  Bridge  the 
same  morning.  My  statement  in  regard  to  these  bridges  was  not  in- 
tended as  a  criticism  on  Gen.  Lee's  plan,  but  to  show  the  position  of  the 
troops,  with  a  view  to  the  proper  understanding  of  ray  report,  and  to 
prove  that  the  enemy  might  have  reasonably  entertained  a  design,  after 
concentrating  his  troops,  to  march  on  Richmond. 

Remark,  No.  2. — I  learn  since  making  my  report,  from  Major-Gen. 
Huger,  that  he  was  ordered  to  move,  on  Sunday,  by  the  "  Charles  City 
road,"  and  not  by  the  "  Williamsburg  road,"  as  I  then  understood.  He 
informed  me  also,  however,  that  the  two  brigades  sent  at  my  request 
down  the  "  Williamsburg  road,"  did  not  delay  his  operations  against  the 
enemy,  as  he  reached  the  rest  of  his  command,  sent  on  the  "  Charles 
City  road,"  before  they  were  engaged  with  the  enemy. 

The  same  statement  applies  to  remark.  No.  3. 

Remark,  No.  4. — The  mistake,  alluded  to  by  Gen.  Lee  in  this  re- 
mark, originated  from  an  order  from  the  latter  to  Gen.  Jackson.  I  was 
not  advised  of  the  error  in  this  case  until  about  dark  on  the  same  day, 
near  the  close  of  the  action,  at  Savage  Station.  I  had  nothing  to  do 
with  the  mistake  or  error,  however,  as  I  gave  no  orders  to  Gen.  Jackson, 
who  ranked  me. 

Remark,  No.  G. — I  made  no  claim  in  my  report  to  any  participation 
in  Gen.  Longstreet's  fight  on  Monday  evening,  but  merely  obeyed  orders 
in  relieving  Gen.  Longstreet's  troops  on  his  batCie-field.  Col.  Goode 
Bryan,  of  the  IGth  Georgia  regiment,  reported  to  me,  however,  that  the 
enemy  was  just  in  front  of  that  position  at  half-past  three  on  Tuesday 
morning. 


45 

RcmarJc,  No.  7. — This  seems  to  require  no  explanation.  I  reported 
the  order  from  Col.  Chilton  as  one  of  the  series  directing  the  attack. 
This  order  was  obeyed,  as  were  all  the  others. 

The  above  is  respectfully  submitted  as  a  part  of  my  report. 

(Signed)  J.  BANKHEAD  MAG  RUDER, 

Major-General,  kc.  &c. 
Official  copy : 

A.  G.  Dickinson,  A.  A.  Gen.  • 


No.  12. 


A  list  of  Officers,  Nbn-conimissioned  Officers  and  Privaies  reported  hy 
their  respective  Division,  Bri(jode  and  Regimental  Commanders  at 
having  distinguished  themselves  in  the  battles  around  Richmond,  under 
command  of  Major-General  Magruder,  and  not  mentioned  in  the 
body  of  his  report. 

Major-General  McLaws'  Division. 

f  Major  Goggin,  A.  A.  and  I.  Gen. 
I  Capt.  Kiug,  A.  D.  C. 
Staff.-{  Lieut.  Tucker,  X.  D.  C. 

I  Major  McLaws,  Chief  Quartermaster. 
(^  Major  Edwards,  Chief  Commissary. 

Brigadier- General  Kershaw's  Brigade. 

f  Capt.  C.  R.  Holmes,  A.  A.  Gen. 

^  cut.  A.  E.  Doby,  A.  D.  C. 

cut.  "W.  M.  Dwiuht,  A.  A.  and  I.  Gen. 
I  Mr.  J.  A.  Myers,  A   A.  D.  C 

Col.  Ilennegan,  8th  Regt.  So.  Car.  Vols. 

Col.  Kennedy,  LM  Regt.  So.  Car.  Vols. 

Lieut.  Col.  Goodwyn,  2d  Regt.  So.  Car.  Vols. 

Major  Gaillard,  2d  Regt.  So   (^ar.  Vols. 

Col.  Nance,  ^d  Regt.  So.  Car.  Vols. 

Major  Rutherford,  od  Regt.  So.  Car.  Vols. 

Col.  Aiken,  7fh  Regt.  So.  Car.  A'ols. 

Lieut.  Col.  Bland,  7th  Regt.  So.  Car.  Vols. 

Major  ]McLeod. 

Capt.  D.  M.  H.  Langston,  .^d  Regt.  So.  Car.  Vr.ls. 

Lieut,  n.  C   .Johnston,  .'M  Regt.  Ala.  Vols.,  acting  voluntarily. 

Adjutant  Childs,  7th  Regt.  So.  Car.  Vols. 

Scrgt.  Major  Stalworth,  7th  Ro^t.  So.  Car.  Vols. 

Sergt.  Harley,  color  bearer  2d  Regt.  So.  Car.  Vola. 

Corporal  Blakely,  3d  Regt.  So.  Car.  Vols. 


su.ff-\  J;| 


Staff. 


46 


Brigadier- General  Semmes'  Brigade. 

'  Capt.  demons,  A.  A.  Gen. 

Capt.  Briggs,  A.  D.  C 

Capt.  E.  L.  Costin,  A.  D.  C. 

Lieut.  Cody,  Vol.  A.  J).  C 

Lieut,  lledd.  Vol.  A.  D.  C. 
^  Surgeon  Giimore. 

Major  Nelson. 

Lieut.  Paul  Hamilton,  A.  A.  G.  to  Lieut.  Col.  Lee. 

Brigadier-General  Jones'  Division. 

'  Capt.  Latrobe,  A.  A.  and  I.  Gen. 

Capt.  Ford,  A.  D.  C. 

Mr.  Thurston,  Vol.  A.  D.  C. 

Mr.  Jones,  Vol.  A.  D.  C. 
/Staff. -^  Major  Garnett,  Chief  of  Artillery. 

Capt.  De  Laigle,  Quartermaster. 

Major  Haskell,  Commissary. 

Surgeon  Barksdale. 
^  Lieut.  Campbell,  Engineer  Dep't. 


Staff.  I 


Brigadier- General  Toombs'  Brigade. 

Capt.  Dubose,  A.  A.  G. 

Capt.  Troup,  A.  D.  C. 

Lieut.  Cockrell,  9th  Geo.  Regiment. 

Colonel  Anderson's  Brigade. 

Mr.  T.  G.  Jackson,  of  Va.,  Vol.  A.  D.  C 

Mr.  Charles  Daniel,  of  Geo.,  Vol.  A.  D.  C. 

Lieut.  C.  C.  Hardwicke,  8th  Goo.  A'^ols. 

Sergt.  W.  T.  Garrett,  Co.  "M,"  1st  Geo.  Regulars. 

Corporal  J.  C.  Crump,  1st  Geo.  Rcirulars. 

Private  W.  L.  Morehead,  Co.  "  I,"'7th  Geo.  Vols. 

Private  D.  E.  Humphries,  Co.  "C,"  11th  Geo.  Vols. 


0 


